Emily Suvaljko’s big double with Alta Tribute

Star reinswoman Emily Suvaljko completed the prized feature race double when Alta Tribute (Alta Christiano) stormed down the outside the sweep to harness racing victory in the Group 3 $50,000 Allwood Stud 4&5 year old Championship at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

In the previous event Emily had won aboard Penny Black the mares feature.

And it was another copybook drive by Suvaljko to score on Alta Tribute.

Gary Hall Senior was well represented with favourite I’m the Black Flash as well as Alta Tribute and Skylou.

In a keen betting with a number of chances I’m The Black Flash showed enough speed from barrier two to take the lead while Alta Tribute took a trail behind the leader. Gully Gum who had tried for the early lead ended up with a one out and one back trail while the promising pacer Golden Lode was back near the rear of the field.

With the race looking like to be a sprint home, Deni Roberts sent Golden Lode around the field three wide with well over a lap left to travel.

Lusaka who was the Bond stable’s second string settled three back on the rails.

I’m the Black Flash moved clear of the opposition on the final bend but Alta Tribute came from behind with a perfectly timed sprint and was able to hold off the fast finishing Lusaka by just over two metres with I’m the Black Flash three metres away third.

The winner’s mile rate of 1.54.7 was 0.4 seconds faster than Penny Black’s win in the previous classic feature.

ALTA TRIBUTE REPLAY

A relatively lightly raced gelding, Alta Tribute has now had ten starts for seven wins and one placing. The four year old appears to have a bright future.

The run of Golden Lode was meritorious having raced three wide for well over the last lap and yet he only finished 15 metres from the winner in sixth position. He will also be prominent in the forthcoming four year old feature races.

Suvaljko’s night just got better when in the following event she brought up her treble with Montana DJ (Captain Treacherous) who took out the Grange Bloodstock Insurance with yet another perfect drive to snatch a narrow but deserved win.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink