Keayang Chucky’s hollow win in Australasian Trotters Championship.

Rising star Keayang Chucky (Love You) was simply too good when he scored an effortless win in the Group 3 $30,000 Colina and Co Australasian Trotters Championship at Melton last night.

Now regarded as one of the nation’s best trotters Keayang Chucky was a prohibitive odds on favourite due to the late scratching of main rival Arcee Phoenix.

Commencing safely from the outside of the front row Keayang Chucky was three wide early but driver Jason Lee let his charge balance up before allowing him to race past early leader Harry Stamper with two laps left to travel.

And from then on Keayang Chucky never looked likely be threatened. Luvmeto had a good trail as did Harold Smith but Keayang Chucky toyed with his rivals to defeat Harry Stamper by over 10 metres with Luvmeto in third placing.

From the standing start journey of 2760 metres, Keayang Chucky rated 1.59.7 with blistering final quarters of 27.5 and 27.8 seconds.

There were no excuses for the beaten division as Keayang Chucky was a class above his opponents.

The flashy chestnut gelding has now won three other features this season including both the Hamilton and Terang Trotters Cups and the VL Dullard Cup at Melton four weeks ago.

Lee indicated his regard for Keayang Chucky.

“We let him get in front and bowl along. He was doing it good on the line.”

“He had a lot left and he was entitled to win as he did.”

And he indicated that Keayang Chucky is capable of being a top stayer in addition to his sprinting ability in shorter races. Keayang Chucky is in the shadow of his illustrious stable mate the unbeaten Keayang Zahara. But as Lee wanted to point out “Keayang Zahara is better but then this bloke would give her one hell of a race and in this company they are running these fast quarters.”

Keayang Chucky will now head to Menangle for the Group 1 $100,000 Hammerhead trotters mile where he is likely to clash with the likes of The Locomotive and Oscar Bonavena.

The Australasian Trotters Championship was first staged in 1964 when won by the great mare Gramel and in the past has been won by some wonderful horses including Hammerhead, Touch Merchant, Scotch Notch, True Roman, Knight Pistol and of course the great Lyell Creek. The race had a period of not been run in certain years but it’s pleasing that the race continues albeit as a Group 3 event.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink