Pair of 41 to 1 longshots take out Vicbred Finals

Outsider Keayang Gurki (Royalty For Life) gave the Lee stable a winning double with a resounding harness racing win in the $100,000 On a Streak Vicbred two year old trotters final at Melton last night.

Talented filly Sassy Galleon who was second favourite was scratched as she caused two false starts which was most unfortunate.

Gatesys Gem who was a prohibitive odds on favourite looked to be cruising in the lead but she started to paddle in the home straight. Keayang Gurki who had crossed to the lead early then elected to take the trail behind Gatesys Gem.

Keayang Gurci could only finish fifth in her heat at Maryborough and was not highly regarded but on the night she clearly had the better of her opposition. Given the strength of her impressive win she will be much shorter than her cricket score odds.

GROUP 1 BREAKTHROUGH!
Antti Ruokonen has trained his first Group 1 winner with Keayang Kurki taking out On A Streak Vicbred Super Series for the two-year-old trotting fillies. This victory gave Jason Lee his second driving Group 1 for the evening. pic.twitter.com/ORAoyNTSYE

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) September 14, 2024

Trained by Anti Ruokonen at Ecklin South, Keayang Gurci had seven metres to spare over fellow outsiders Miss Ohana and Sky Flair. She returned a credible 1.59.7 for the 2240 metres.

Rapid Return Upsets in 4YO mares final

Rapid Return (Orlando Vici) surprised all before her when she stormed down the outside to take out the $100,000 Back of the Neck Superbred Four year old mares trotters final.

A consistent performer in previous performances was not considered to be a serious contender due to the presence of Rockinwithattitude and Susan Is her Name who had both won their Heats at Geelong a week ago.

In winning, Rapid Return gave Kerryn Manning her 40th Group one event who was chuffed with her achievement.

“She was hanging in a little on the bends, but I was instructed by her trainer David Abrahams to keep picking her up.

Manning thought she might get third but she accelerated so quickly that she was able to grab victory right on the line.

SENSATIONAL!
The David Abraham-trained and Kerryn Manning-driven Rapid Return flashed home to take out the Back Of The Neck Vicbred Super Series final for four-year-old trotting mares. pic.twitter.com/cRVRixETFb

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) September 14, 2024

Showing her customary early speed favourite Rockinwithattitude was able to lead as was expected.

The well supported Susan is Her Name moved up gradually three wide to eventually race outside the leader. David Miles on Rockinwithattitude appeared to be sitting back on the final bend and looked to have the measure of Susan Is Her Name. Rapid Return was starting to wind up and she finished so quickly that she was able to outpoint Rockinwithattitude on the line.

To add to her credit, this was the first drive of Kerryn on Rapid Return. Trainer David Abrahams has a small team in the Goulburn Valley at Tatura.
Rapid Return ran a mile rate of 1.57.4 which made the efforts of Rockinwithattitude and Susan Is Her Name credible.

The hard luck story was with Keayang Gucci who was locked away on the rails although driver Jason Lee attempted to use the inside lane she was inconvenienced to finish just behind the leaders.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink