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Tearaway trotter The Locomotive (Muscle Mass) justified his reputation as one of the most exciting squaregaiters in the land when he led all the way to win The first heat of the Inter Dominion trotters series at Newcastle last night.
As expected The Locomotive went to the front after being balanced early by his driver Brad Hewitt. The well supported Keayang Chucky secured the one out one back trail behind the other Victorian trotter Plymouth Chubb who had to race outside the leader.
London To A Brick who had been expected to provide some opposition to The Locomotive settled back at the rear of the field. However when driver James Rattray eased him out to make a run along the back straight he went into a full stretch gallop which effectively put paid to his chances as he dropped out.
Harry Stamper who had the run of the race behind the leader suddenly went for a gallop along the back straight and he too put paid to whatever chance he may have had.
The Locomotive skipped clear on straightening and appeared to be set for an easy win but Plymouth Chubb showed great courage and he only failed by just over a metre with Keayang Chucky third.
THE LOCOMOTIVE REPLAY
But driver Brad Hewitt was unfazed after the race. He stated
“The second horse went really good. But once on his own he was doing what he had to. His best attribute is rolling along. I didn’t want to knock him around and wanted to have as soft run as possible. He was really good and entitled to have a good kick left. He ran along strong to the line”.
The win gave Hewitt a double following his prior win on Captains Knock and his aim is to keep his star pair as fresh as possible.
Plymouth Chubb was an outstanding two year old when he put together 14 successive wins before injury hampered his career. He won a heat of the Inter Dominion last year at Albion Park and could now be returning to the form he displayed as a juvenile.
For complete race results, click here.
by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink
