3YO fillies at the top of their game ahead of Vicbred final

Amore Vita (Art Major) and Encipher (Captaintreacherous) left no doubt they will be at the top of their game when they renew their harness racing rivalry in the Group 1 $130,000 Always B Miki Vicbred Super Series final for three-year-old fillies at Melton on New Year’s Eve.

The Emma Stewart-trained pair signalled they are primed for another big-time clash with eye-catching semi-final wins at Tabcorp Park on Friday night.

They have met six times with Encipher beating home Amore Vita on four occasions.

However, one of the races in which Amore Vita did claim bragging rights was in the VSS final for two-year-old fillies when she was prepared by Nathan Purdon.

So can she complete the double?

Encipher staked her claim for a fifth Group 1 victory by cruising home in the semi-final.

SHE DOES IT AGAIN!
Encipher (Emma Stewart/Kate Gath) makes it six-straight wins with an easy victory in the first semi of the Always B Miki Vicbred Super Series for three-year-old fillies. pic.twitter.com/zLmythAMhh

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) December 23, 2022

She gave Kate Gath an armchair drive, living up to her short price and going to the line as she liked.

Stewart produced the trifecta, with Beach Life coming off the back of Encipher in front to get second, while Soho Historia was a clear third after working into the breeze.

Encipher has now won her past six starts, including the Victoria Oaks and Breeders Crown final for three-year-old fillies.

Her stunning career record stands at 13 wins from 20 starts for $510,000 in earnings.

Gath told TrotsVision that Encipher, as always, had done just what she had to do.

She said on this occasion the daughter of Captaintreacherous had finished with a big last quarter (26.2), reinforcing she could do it all.

“She’s such a lovely horse.

“She has always been so professional – a dream to drive. She knows where the finish line is,” Gath said.

For Amore Vita, it was her first win in five starts for Stewart, having joined the premier stable after Purdon closed down his Victorian training operation and returned to New Zealand.

Amore Vita worked up to the leaders turning for home and then charged away from her stablemates Petillante and Talk Time as Stewart produced the trifecta.

“SHE’S BACK! SHE’S BACK!”
Trainer Emma Stewart claims her first victory with Amore Vita as Chris Alford guides the former Kiwi pacer to victory in the second semi-final of the Always B Miki Vicbred Super Series for three-year-old fillies. pic.twitter.com/LnMsH7Bouv

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) December 23, 2022

Stewart has eight runners in the three-year-old fillies’ final.

Heza Son Of Agun (Art Major) showed he is back to his absolute best with an all-the-way win in a Ride High Vicbred Super Series semi-final for three-year-old colts and geldings.

The horse won last season’s VSS two-year-old final for colts and geldings, and with trainer-driver Matt Craven exuding plenty of confidence, the double is well and truly on the cards.

“We’ve been really happy with his progress since a little setback in the Breeders Crown when he wasn’t himself.

“It was great to see him really savage the line. He was terrific.

“We’ve said for a long time this is our race and hopefully he’s on track,” Craven said.

Cobber made late ground to get second – 13.4m adrift of Heza Son Of Agun – with Interest Free getting third.

The Hes Charlies Angel story keeps getting better for Ecklin South breeder/owner/trainer/driver Charlene Gusman.

There is already plenty of sentiment attached to him for Gusman.

Hes Charlies Angel is named after her late father Charlie, who died in 2021.

Speaking after the gelding won his first race as a two-year-old, Gusman said: “This is my everything. He means the world to me.”

That affection was further reinforced when Hes Charlies Angels had one of his best wins to date in the second Ride High Vicbred Super Series semi-final for three-year-old colts and geldings.

Gusman found her way to the lead mid-race and then defied all challenges despite racing keenly.

Lightning Dan closed late to get second ahead of Hot Deal, but Hes Charlies Angel never looked in danger after turning for home.

This will be Hes Charlies Angels’ fourth Group 1 final, with his latest being a fourth in this season’s Breeders Crown.

It is also another feather in the cap for his dam Shes Norma Jean, who has five winners from five foals to the races.

Gusman capped off the night by also qualifying two-year-old filly Clives Girl – also out of Shes Norma Jean – for a Vicbred final.

For complete race results, click here.

by David Brehaut, for Harness Racing Victoria