Bay of Biscay falls in

Pre Eureka favourite Bay of Biscay (Somebeachsomewhere) gave his harness racing supporters some anxious moments before he just lasted to take out the City of Melton Free For All at Melton on Saturday evening.

Bay of Biscay has had his races carefully chosen by his trainer Emma Stewart as his main task is the $2.1 million Eureka at Menangle Park on 6 September.

Having his first start in open company and resuming after his Chariots of Fire success in February, Bay of Biscay had impressively won a trial at Melton earlier in the month.

Top driver Cameron Hart made the trip to Melton in preference to a card of drives at Menangle Park.

Bay of Biscay was installed a hot favourite despite the presence of star pacer Catch A Wave. He was expected to lead but surprisingly Tango Tara too much early pace to head off Bay of Biscay but once the field settled down Hart let Bay of Biscay stride to the lead.

The key to the event was the second quarter run in 30.8 seconds which allowed for a fast last half mile. Catch A Wave had a good trail one out and one back with Oliver Dan outside the leader. Bay of Biscay kicked clear with what appeared to be a winning break but veteran pacer Triple Eight emerged from the pack to just fail by a short half head with Tango Tara in third placing.

BAY OF BISCAY REPLAY JUN 28

Despite the narrow winning margin Hart was pleased with Bay of Biscay’s effort.

“It was super to kick off his preparation this way. If it was going to be honourable it was going to be tonight just first up. I’m super happy with the effort.”

Commenting on the early speed of Tango Tara Hart added “I did think it was a chance of crossing, he sort of got three quarters in front of me and a fair bit of momentum so I just elected to let him roll on rather than get into a really quick first quarter but once he found the top he just relaxed like he always does. When I asked him to heed back up again he was super.”

“He was still strong he can wait for them a little bit but as he’s got older he’s getting a lot better at it. Once James Herbertson (on Triple Eight) came to the outside of him, I felt him pick up again like all the good horses do.”

Bay of Biscay can only improve with that effort. He was entered for next Saturday night’s $300,000 Group 1 Rising Star Stakes at Albion Park and was preliminary favourite but due to logistical transport issues it is highly unlikely that he will be able to make the trip.

Catch A Wave failed to run on when finishing fifth but he seems to race better interstate and if draws well in the Inter Dominion heats he should give a strong showing.

It proved to be a successful evening for Hart as later in the evening he was successful with the promising filly Let Her Roll (Sweet Lou) and then with the talented colt Storms Collide (The Storm Inside) who were also trained by Emma Stewart.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink