Leading horsewoman chasing a big pot of Gold

Leading Victorian harness racing trainer Emma Stewart has five shots at landing a quarter of a million dollars in bonus money at tonight’s (Apr. 28) rich Gold Bullion finals for two-year-olds at Club Menangle.

Stewart has qualified Decree Of Force (Kate Gath) and Eureka Jo (Mark Pitt) for the APG Fillies Final (Race 5), which offers a $250,000 bonus if the winner can better the benchmark time of 1:52.3 over the mile.

Yet something Stewart is not used to is seeing that both her fillies will start double-figure odds with Decree Of Force ($21) to come from gate eight after the emergencies are taken out and Eureka Jo ($17) even worse off, drawn the outside of the 10-horse front-line.

The colts and geldings’ final (Race 7) looks much more within reach for Stewart with her thee runners, led by the unbeaten Stormryder (Mark Pitt) listed as the even-money favourite and her other two hopes Prioritise (Amanda Turnbull) and War Dan Buddy (Cameron Hart) also expected to come in for good backing.

The benchmark time for the ‘boys’ $250,000 bonus is listed as 1:51.3 and if the track is not too rain-affected will definitely be under threat.

“I’d say it is a pretty big chance at least one bonus, if not both, will go off,” said Stewart.

“The times are certainly achievable and the quality of the fields are high enough to suggest the winner, or winners, will have to run those times.

“I’d like to think one of our stable runners will do it.

“Yet, I’m sure everyone in the race is thinking the same thing.”

Second and third in a fillies’ heat a fortnight ago, Eureka Jo and Decree Of Force will improve on their debut appearances, according to Stewart.

“They will both be better for the run, but they will need to be,” she said.

“Not only will the Final be stronger again, but the barrier draws make it tough.”

As for the colts and geldings’ decider, Stormryder ($2) and War Dan Buddy ($5.50) both won their qualifiers, while Prioritise ($34) finished second, 13m behind War Dan Buddy at his debut run at Melton.

Prioritise has fared best in barrier two, with Stormryder drawn five and War Dan Buddy to come from gate six.

“They are all going well and head into this in perfect condition,” said Stewart.

“There is some strong form in the race and it’s pretty easy to assume the winner will be taking home the bonus.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Court, for Harness Racing New South Wales