Class prevails in Breeders Crown 2YO semi finals

As expected long odds on favourite Let Her Roll (Sweet Lou) scored a hollow all the way harness racing win in the only semi final of the Pebble Beach Breeders Crown for 2YO fillies at Melton last night.

Showing early speed from the mobile Let Her Roll was allowed to amble along in front by driver James Herbertson and from then on she never looked in any danger. New South Wales driver Rickie Alchin gave up a one out two back trail at the 1200 metre mark to go up and apply some pressure to Let Her Roll but the latter had plenty in reserve to draw clear in the straight.

Fellow New South Wales runner Namaka after enduring a hard run early battled on gamely for second with the inform My Little Bo running on fairly for third.

There is a touch of class about Let Her Roll. She has now won six of her last eight appearances including the Victoria Sapling Stakes and the Southern Cross Heat and Final at Globe Derby. She only needs to draw favourably to add the Breeders Crown to her already impressive record. 

In the First semi final for the 2YO colts and geldings trainer Emma Stewart completed a double when her smart colt Fairplay (Rock N Roll Heaven) recorded a strong win over his rivals. Starting a firm second favourite behind his stablemate Viney Fairplay was caught wide early Viney from the pole position raced a bit ungenerously contacting the market pegs but had enough speed to hold off Golden Tribe.

However when Mark Pitt on Fair Play strode up on the outside James Herbertson took hold of Viney to take a trail. Pitt then steadied Fair Play in the lead. Despite Crocodile Socks making a run outside the leader with a lap left to travel, Fair Play increased the tempo off the back straight. At this point Viney seemed to lose stride as he lost ground behind the two leaders. Crocodile Socks showed great determination but Fair Play was too good on the night to run out a comfortable winner over Crocodile Socks with Viney regaining his momentum to close in on third placing.

Fair Play was resuming after his only start winning at Bendigo last June and there is obviously good improvement left in the colt. 

In running 1.55.9 for the 2240 metre trip Fair Play was nearly a second quicker than Let Her Roll’s win. 

The second semi final for the 2YO colts and geldings went the way of smart colt Hesitate (Sportswriter) who gained an inside run in the home straight to score a thrilling win over Arsenio and Schwarz.

Patiently driven by his trainer Damian Burns, Hesitate elected to take the trail behind the early leader Schwarz. Given a breather by his driver Mark Pitt Schwarz had an untroubled lead even when his stablemate Arsenio moved up to race outside the leader.

Schwarz moved clear on the final bend but with an easier inside run Hesitate wound up quickly down the home straight to edge out a brave Arsenio by a neck with Schwarz over a metre away third. 

Hesitate has always shown above average ability ever since he won his first two appearances at Melton and was finally rewarded for his efforts when he took out the Edgar Tatlow stakes a fortnight ago. 

Being a seasoned performer he should run a great race in next week’s Final if he draws favourably.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink