Tonkin scoops the pool

Trainer Clayton Tonkin scooped the pool in the rich Alabar Bloodstock Nutrien Equine Classic (2YO) Finals at Melton.

The Tonkin prepared The Highlight Reel (Poster Boy) served notice he is a harness racing star of the future when he led most of the way in the $250,000 2YO Colts & Geldings Final. 

The winner a slick mile rate of 1:54.7 for the 2240 metres. 

The Highlight Reel has gifted Mark Pitt and Clayton Tonkin back-to-back wins, taking out the Alabar Bloodstock Nutrien Equine Classic two-year-old Colts and Geldings Final. pic.twitter.com/1Io9UbvOWv

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) April 20, 2024

The Highlight Reel is also raced by Tonkin and his partner Emma Stewart who purchased the son of Poster Boy for $10,000. 

“It’s more special as Emma and I bought him at the sales and we never usually buy them outright ourselves, “Tonkin said. 

Tonkin said he picked the horse out at the sales on his looks and demeanour. 

“He had personality, we love Poster Boy and to be perfectly honest he looks exactly like Poster Boy,” he said. 

The Highlight Reel is now unbeaten in three career starts. 

Earlier in the night the Tonkin prepared filly Miss Australiana emerged as a rising star after scoring an impressive win in the $250,000 Nutrien Equine Classic (2YO Fillies) Final at Melton. 

Mark Pitt made a mid-race move on Miss Australiana ($1.70 fav) to wrest the lead off stablemate Iveseenheavenslight and from then on the race was never in doubt with the daughter of Captaintreacherous scoring comfortably by four metres. 

Pitt gave a salute as he crossed the line. 

“It’s something that we want to win these races and there are a great bunch of people in this filly,” Pitt said. 

Pitt said he was keen to make the mid-race sojourn around the field. 

“She was getting a little bit strong so I wanted to get her out in the open a bit and as soon as I did she relaxed pretty well,” he said.  

“I think she is a great filly, she seems to have a lot of speed and she seems pretty strong as well.” 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink