Gunna Reload’s strong finish to take out Gold Crown

Showy bay filly Gunna Reload (Sweet Lou) upstaged her more fancied harness racing rivals with a powerful burst to take out the $100,000 Group 2 Michael Brown Planning Gold Bracelet final for three year old fillies at Bathurst on Saturday night.

Although Gunna Reload has proved herself a top filly in her own right, she was not fancied from her second row draw with Soho Americano (barrier 1) and Sugar Pie Honey (barrier 3) fighting out favouritism.

Michael Stanley on Soho Americano expressed confidence before the event that he would hold the lead and that’s precisely what occurred with Sugar Pie Honey forced to race outside the leader. London Baby got through from the second row to race behind the leader while Peace Out who had won her heat securing the one out and one back trail.

In the meantime Gunna Reload was under lock and key three back on the rails and it wasn’t until the back straight that driver Will Rixon was able to obtain a clear run in pursuit of the leaders.

Soho Americano looked to be travelling easily on the final bend although Sugar Pie Honey was battling on. Peace Out was out three wide and Gunna Reload was four wide as this group drew clear of the remainder of the field.

GUNNA RELOAD MAR 29 REPLAY GOLD BRACELET FINAL BATHURST

Soho Americano showed little fight as firstly Peace Out reached the lead but she had no match for Gunna Reload’s relentless sprint and she had just under three metres to spare over Peace Out and Soho Americano holding out Sugar Pie Honey for third placing.

Gunna Reload is trained by Peter Rixon and last August she took out the two year old New South Wales Bred final at Menangle. She certainly looked impressive in taking out her Heat of the Gold Bracelet at Bathurst on Monday when she ran 1.53.4.

An emotional Will Rixon paid tribute to his parents.

“I was actually happy with the draw. Even though she wasn’t one of the favourites I had a sort of weird confidence all week. I got so much confidence in this horse but also for Mum and Dad. She was third up for tonight and peaked for this race. This has been the main target since she ran here last year in the Gold Tiara.

Mum and Dad are so good at what they do. I’ve never had a feeling like this. To do this for Mum and Dad it means a lot to me. They’ve done so much for me. It’s really special and I’ve never had a feeling like it.”

Her strong finishing sprint will hold her in good stead when she contests longer distances such as the NSW Oaks and other classic events.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink