Very Pretty very good

Not surprisingly Emma Stewart and Mark Pitt drew first blood in the Breeders Crown Semi Finals at Melton tonight (Nov. 18) when Very Pretty (American Ideal) outclassed her harness racing rivals in the 2YO Fillies First Semi Final.

The powerful Stewart stable looks set to dominate the eight semi finals on the program.

The daughter of American Ideal reeled off a slick 54.1 last 800 metres defeating Millwood Bliss and Destiny Stride in a mile rate of 1:55.6 for the 2240 metres.

Very Pretty's winning streak continues for driver Mark Pitt and trainer Emma Stewart, taking home the first semi-final of the Pebble Beach Breeders Crown 2YO Fillies. pic.twitter.com/dEFWZEPwi5

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) November 18, 2023

Pitt said Very Pretty, unbeaten in four starts, was progressing with each run.

“She’s a lovely filly and every time she steps out she seems to be getting bit better and even with her racing manners she’s getting a lot better,” Pitt said.

“It’s going to come down to the draw in the Final but this one is a pretty special filly.

She’s had a few soft runs but if she does have to be put into the race than I expect her to do that quite well,” he said.

The Emma Stewart juggernaut continued when Draw A Dream maintained her unbeaten career record win an impressive win in the Second Semi Final.

The daughter of Hes Watching worked to the lead shortly after the start with her main danger Lux Aeterna joining her mid race.

David Moran increased the tempo with 1200 metres to travel as Draw A Dream followed a 28.2 second quarter with a brutal 26.9 back straight quarter.

Her rivals had no answer to the sustained speed and pressure with Draw A Dream cruising to the line eight metres ahead of stable mate Eureka Jo in a mile rate of 1:56.1.

“It worked out well, she got a pretty cheap first split and she was pretty good from thereafter, its going to be a great race in the Final,” Moran said

“She seems to have a fair few strings to her bow, she’s quite quick although she can get a bit keen with her mannerisms the only thing but when that adjusts shes going to make a really nice horse,” he said.

The win continued a perfect strike rate for the Stewart stable which has won the first six Semi Finals.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink