Emma’s mares hold the key to Sprint Final

It would be a brave punter who would bet against a member of the powerful Emma Stewart harness racing stable taking out the Alabar Vicbred Platinum Mares Sprint Championship Final at Melton on Saturday night (Aug. 5).

The three Stewart runners in Star Celebrity (Always B Miki), Whatadelight (Bettor’s Delight) and High Profile (Always B Miki) dominate the betting.

Regular stable driver Mark Pitt, who will take the reins behind the lightly-raced and unbeaten Whatadelight, acknowledges this will be the daughter of Bettors Delight’s biggest test to date.

“This is a big step-up in class for her, straight up to metropolitan class after only three starts,” Pitt said.

“She will need to bring her A-game this week as there are some nice mares in the race.”

Whatadelight won at Echuca and Kilmore before giving Norms Lady a sizeable start and beating in her heat at Bendigo a fortnight ago.

Pitt said Whatadelight has shown marked improvement in her racing manners since scoring on debut in March.

“At Echuca she was very green, on the bit one minute and off the bit the next, but she has felt a lot sharper in her past two wins,” he said.

“It will be interesting to see where she is in six months’ time, but she feels like she should turn into a nice mare.”

Pitt believes stablemate Star Celebrity is clearly the horse to beat despite her outside second row draw.

“Star Celebrity has been racing and winning in metropolitan level and has the score on the board,” he said.

High Profile, the remaining Stewart contender, couldn’t have been more impressive in winning her heat at Ararat in quick time after racing three wide without cover for the final lap of the race.

For complete race entries, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harness Racing Victoria