Red-letter night for Yabby Dam in Group 1 domination

A stunning Group 1 double produced a “red-letter night” for harness racing’s Yabby Dam Farms, trainer Anton Golino and reinsman Nathan Jack, who blitzed the all-trotting card at Tabcorp Park Melton on Friday (Sep. 2).

Not only did they sweep the Need For Speed finals but the stable produced a trifecta in the Princess Group 1 and also took out the consolation final, while Jack teamed with Wayne Potter to win a fourth race on the night.

“It’s been a red-letter night, forever grateful to Pat (Driscoll) and Anton (Golino),” Jack told TrotsVision.

The first of the wins came in the TAB Need For Speed Consolation Final when Revelstroke proved in class of her own, rocketing home to a 20-metre win in a 28.5-second last quarter.

The stable’s strength in the three-year-old fillies’ class was then further emphasised with Amandine and Egret dominating the $60,000 final, winning by 13 metres from stablemate La Perriere who filled out the top three.

It was a bold win by Amanine, the filly by Village Mystic out of Mybrotherwasastar, who led and was challenged late by her stablemate Egret (Father Patrick), who had enjoyed the sit on her back throughout.

“I think her run in the heat probably flattened her a little bit, she probably wasn’t quite as sharp tonight but to her credit she really fought on,” Jack said.

The win followed a similarly bold fighting performance by Cravache Dor (Orlando Vici) in the Prince final.

The gelding out of Muscles N Blues sat parked outside Arcee Phoenix throughout and the pace set by the leader was relentless.

While Jack got the better of Arcee Phoenix, who battled on admirably for third, he then had to fight off a fast finishing Plymouth Chubb before being able to claim the biggest win of Cravache Dor’s young career.

“It was a great win, it was gutsy and he showed real grit and determination,” Jack said.

“I’ve got a lot of faith in this horse. I never once thought he couldn’t do it. I was a bit concerned when (Chris Svanosio on Arcee Phoenix) wanted to keep running, I sort of knew that we were going to come back to the field eventually, but he tries really hard and he’s a really nice horse.”

Jack also had a very talented type in his hands in capturing the Bob Conroy 2YO Trotters Classic with The Locomotive, a sublimely bred colt for Wayne Potter who’s by Muscle Mass out of champion mare La Coocaracha.

The Locomotive held off a challenge by Cognatti to record a fourth win from five outings and add the Group 2 to the Group 1 Nutrien final he won last Saturday at Menangle.

“He’s a great little juvenile, he does everything right and he’s got a lot of ability that’s for sure,” Jack said.

“He’s a bull and he’s just starting to learn that he’s a bull. I’m sure he’ll improve. He’s probably up there with the best juveniles I’ve driven.”

For complete race results and replays, click here.

by Michael Howard, for HRV