Hesallmuscle is too strong

Emerging trotter Hesallmuscle (Muscle Hill) returned from a short harness racing spell in impressive fashion taking out the Aldebaran Trot at Melton. 

Sent out a $1.50 favorite, Hesallmuscle was given time to balance up by Mark Pitt before working around the field to assume control with 1600 metres to travel. 

The five-year-old always had the race in his keeping reeling off the last 400 metres in a slick 27.7 seconds and cruised  to the line to score by 10 metres from Hephaestus Pheonix in a mile rate of 1:57.3. 

"He refuses to get beat this horse!"
Imperial Monarch fought back to take out the APG Trot for Jason and Margaret Lee. pic.twitter.com/PQ16Ufr4VT

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) June 8, 2024

Pitt said he allowed Hesallmuscle time to find his feet from a wide front row draw. 

“There was a bit of speed under him so I thought I’d let him work off the gate and bully his way to the front and that’s sort of how it worked out,” Pitt said.  

“He got a good trip after that and he travelled really well throughout the race and it was a pretty nice field to meet first up,” he said. 

Pitt said he was confident of victory during the pre-race preliminary. 

“Obviously he’s had his few little issues along the way but he feels really strong now and he warmed up well tonight as he can be a bit scratchy,” he said. 

“It’s a good sign that he’s going to have a good campaign.” 

The lightly raced Hesallmuscle is building an enviable record having won nine race with six placings from only 22 career starts. 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink