Stewart strikes early with another ‘storm’ brewing

The old firm of Victorian harness racing didn’t take long to strike on Vicbred Super Series Final’s night at Melton with Emma Stewart and Mark Pitt combining to take out the first Group One pacing feature with Stormryder (Captaintreacherous) in the $150,000 2YO Colt’s & Geldings final.

The $1.25 odds on favourite was in front from barrier four soon after dispatch and with all due respect to the other eleven competitors in the field, they were running for place money after.

Stormryder and Pitt unleashed a 1:53.1 last mile with closing splits of 54.8 and 27.2 from the top to run their rivals ragged, racing clear to a comfortable 8m victory over a fast finishing Some American and David Moran to make it an Emma Stewart quinella.

The former New South Welshman was in awe of the horsepower beneath him which helped him achieve his 20th Group One success in the sulky, and first for Stormryder in his young career to date.

“He’s still a raw big fella, and he still hasn’t worked it out properly but when he does he is going to be a very serious horse,” said reinsman, Mark Pitt.

“He doesn’t really fell like he’s going that quick, but I knew I was rolling along a little bit. He does it so well within himself,” he said.

STORMRYDER REPLAY

It was the 6th win from seven juvenile starts for the son of Captaintreacherous who hails from the very good former race mare, The Baggy Green, an Art Major daughter of former Australian 2 & 3YO Filly of the year in Lady Waratah suggesting the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.

The Emma Stewart trained colt was her 115th Group One success and Pitt was under no illusions as to the talent afforded to him with his connection to the barn.

“It’s a great privilege that I have to be able to drive for a stable like this, it’s a big opportunity for me in my career and I have to take it with both hands,” he said.

For complete race results, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink