Success at Ararat has gifted Kyvalley Finn the first sign of breathing space at the top of the highly competitive $25,000 Maori’s Idol Trotting Championship, an edge trainer-driver Chris Svanosio will look to extend at Boort this Sunday.
Kyvalley Finn boasts a five-point lead at the top of the championship table courtesy of winning Friday’s Yabby Dam Farms Ararat Trotters Cup by a neck, reward for another consistent performance by the Jim Connolly owned and bred five-year-old.
“He hasn’t got the most ability but none of them try any harder than him,” Svanosio told Trots Vision. “He’s just a little star, he just keeps giving his best every week.”
The victory was Kyvalley Finn’s second this cup season, having also won at St Arnaud amid nine attempts. A further two seconds and two thirds have helped fuel his championship tally, which rewards both performance and participation.
Svanosio has been a force this season, with Magicool sitting third on 15 points, his pair separated by Jerichos Trumpet (17 points). Both Kyvalley Finn and Jerichos Trumpet are among nominees for Sunday’s The Honourable Peter Walsh Boort Trotters Cup, the 16th cup of the 24-cup season.
“He’s in front for the Maori’s Idol trophy for the country cups championship, while he’s going good we will just keep aiming at it,” Svanosio said of Kyvalley Finn. “It’s got a great first prize, so that’s the aim for him at the moment.”
For the first time this year's championship winner claims a $25,000 prize, of which $15,000 is awarded to the owner and $10,000 to the trainer.
Kyvalley Finn strengthened his lead on Friday night after favourite Sundons Courage galloped at the 300-metre mark when the Ararat Cup looked to be in his keeping. Well-rated Stress Factor also broke stride and it was only good manners that prevented Kyvalley Finn’s race from going the same way.
“I was holding my breath,” Svanosio said. “Just as I started to sprint he got a really big check. I don’t know really how he kept trotting … but this little dude seems to be able to do it.”
While Sundons Courage galloped back through the field early leader Glorious Finale advanced on his inside to regain the lead and Kyvalley Finn the outside in pursuit of victory. In the end the latter clawed to a win by a neck, an 11th victory from 58 starts and a significant step closer to the $200,000 career prizemoney mark.
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