Anton’s Need For Speed

Anton Golino is gearing up for a busy night with multiple runners in both harness racing three-year-old Need For Speed trotting finals at Tabcorp Park on Friday night (Sep. 2).

Golino oversees the considerable operation at Yabby Dam Farms, which is represented with four runners in the Princess Final and two in the Prince Final.

The dominance of the stable’s fillies contingent is highlighted by the fact three of its muster – Egret (Father Patrick), Amandine (Village Mystic), and Courmayeur (Village Mystic) – all share $4.20 joint favoritism in the Group 1 feature.

So, it’s not surprising that Golino finds it difficult to separate the trio.

“They are all nice fillies and our other runner La Perriere was found to be sick after her heat but is okay now and I expect an improved showing from her,” Golino said.

When pushed, Golino offered Amandine, who sat parked in her heat win, as one of the hardest to beat from her favorable front row draw.

“It was a good run to win her heat and she is probably the strongest of them,” he said.

Courmayeur was the unlucky runner when she was allocated an inside second row alley, however Golino said she can’t be ruled out of contention.

“She had no luck with the barrier, but if they go silly up front, she is the one who will be getting home from back in the field,” he said.

Ironically, the horse whom Golino believes is the stable’s premier filly, Revelstoke, will contest the Need For Speed Consolation Final after galloping half way down the home straight in her heat.

“She is probably the best of the fillies, but she has no luck when it comes to heats and finals,” he said.

Yabby Dam Farms is also expected to play a key role in the Prince Final, with heat winner Cravache Dor (Orlando Vici) installed as a $2.70 favorite despite an outside front row draw. Main dangers Plymouth Chubb and Courage Stride will both start from the second row.

“There is no real option but to press forward over the short distance from the draw,” he said.

Golino said punters should also treat the pole maker Iron Love with a deal of respect.

“Realistically, Iron Love is about six to 12 months away off fulfilling his potential, but in time he could end up being the best of them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Peter Manning is ruing a second row draw for reigning Australian 2YO Trotter Of The Year Plymouth Chubb (Majestic Son).

“He won’t have much of a chance to show his gate speed from that draw,” Manning said.

Manning though was suitably impressed with Plymouth Chubb’s narrow first-up second behind Cravache Dor in his heat, which followed an injury-enforced eight-month layoff.

“He did all the work in the lead and only just got run down on the line,” he said.

“It was pleasing to see he’s still got his old ability.”

The Need For Speed finals are among the features on Friday night’s all-trotting card at Melton.

The Group 2 Delvin Dancer 4YO Trotters Classic, Group 2 Bob Conroy 2YO Trotters Classic and Group 2 Tornado Valley Trot Final are new races having their inaugural runnings on Friday night, with the Group 3 The George Gath carrying a direct entry into the Inter Dominion Trotting Championship heats for the winner.

For complete race fields, click here.

by John Dunne, for HRV