Luvaflair is all class in Trotters sprint

It’s not often that a trotters event is the main event on the card at Gloucester Park but that was the case last night at Perth’s premier harness track with the running of the Group 3 $31,000 Tabtouch Trotters Sprint last night.

And the event proved to be a top spectacle with flashy seven year old mare Luvaflair (Love You) showing plenty of heart in holding off her rivals in a driving finish.

Hot favourite Hold that Gold was going for his eighth win in succession and he showed great speed from barrier 4 to try and lead. However Aldebaran Sundown the stablemate of the eventual winner also commenced quickly and his driver Nigel Johns was able to hold the lead.

Donald Harper aboard Luvaflair eased back from the fast tempo to go the rails and eventually settled three back on the fence.

Although Hold That Gold was racing outside the leader he didn’t seem to be travelling all that well and was hard pressed to hold his position at the bell. The big striding gelding Patched was one out and two back and eased out to make a run along the back straight. In the meantime Harper in a masterstroke was able to extricate Luvaflair off the fence and in a flash she had joined the leader Aldebaran Sundown on the final bend.

Patched looked likely to gather in Luvaflair but the latter fought back to just hold off Patched by a head with Sunny’s Little Rose a further 4 metres away third.

LUVAFLAIR REPLAY

Harper revealed his devotion to Nigel Johns.

“It’s always great to get a win for them (Nigel Johns) they’re family to me. She had a bit of luck in the run , but it all worked out and great to get the win. “.

“Once I got in the clear at the 700 metres I thought she was a real good show from there. We took the short cuts and it worked out. She’s just a quality mare. Even from a bad draw she always runs a drum and when it works out for her, she normally pops up.  Hopefully he can keep her racing for a few more seasons.”

Nigel Johns who is probably the State’s most ardent supporter of trotter had four runners last night so his success in a big feature event was well deserved.

Luvaflair is raced by her breeders Kaye and Noel Boyd.

Stewards reported after the event that a veterinary inspection on Hold That Gold showed a condition and he has been stood down pending a veterinary certificate.

Certainly last night’s feature was a credit to the trotters that participated and it’s hoped that the State can continue to foster trotters events to provide a welcome alternative to the pacers on occasions.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink