Path To Greatness’s all the way win in Nutrien 3YO Colts and Geldings Final

Queensland harness racing visitor Path to Greatness (Captaintreacherous) lived up to his promise when he led all the way to take out the Listed $125,000 Nutrien Equine Classic final for three year old colts and gelding at Melton on Friday night.

Drawn the pole, punters sent Path to Greatness a firm favourite. Driver Grant Dixon was determined to hold the lead at all costs and the favourite held off an early challenge from Storms Collide who was the required to race outside without cover.

PATH TO GREATNESS APR 11 REPLAY

Seathestars who was following Path to Greatness on the second line was able to get up behind the leader.

The Highlight Reel who was the other fancied candidate whipped around the field at the bell to be sitting alongside Path To Greatness. But the latter was always travelling better and he showed great heart to finish full of running and prevail by a neck over Seathestars with The Highlight Reel just over a metre away in third placing.

Dixon commented after the race.

“I had the luck of the draw. This guy lives in the shadow of the other one (Fate Awaits) but he really shouldn’t. He’s a good little horse in his own right. Obviously the draw made the difference but he still copped a bit of pressure.”

“When you go to these sort of races you’re never overconfident but he seemed good in himself and so pleased to get the result. He does give you a good feeling.”

“I was always going to try to hold the lead or I would have ended up four back on the rails.” “We’ll take him back home for the Queensland Derby and then the Breeders Challenge and then see how he gets along. The Victoria Derby is a possibility but that’s well down the track.”

Overall Path To Greatness rated 1.54 for the 2240 metres with his last two quarters in 27.7 and 27.6 seconds.

Seathestars was a rank outsider and nearly pulled off a major boilover in being the runner up. The gelding acquitted himself well in the recent Bathurst Gold Crown Series and looks a very useful type for his trainer Geoff Webster.

The Highlight Reel battled on for third but from his second row position was always going to find Path To Greatness hard to beat from the draw especially when the former was able to hold the lead.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink