Victorian drivers to the fore at Bathurst Gold Crown

Top Victorian reinsmen James Herbertson and David Moran won the final two heats of the Bathurst Gold Crown heats last night at the Bathurst paceway.

Herbertson struck on the Emma Stewart trained Loucasso (Sweet Lou) who was patiently driven to record a most impressive win.

LOUCASSO MAR 21 REPLAY GOLD CROWN HEAT BATHURST

A winner at his opening race at Kilmore Loucasso was sent out a short priced favourite and Herbertson elected to take a trail behind the leader Lochinvar Leader with Frizza having to race outside the leader.

Lochinvar Leader was in front but Frizza despite the hard run was showing plenty of fight. However as soon the field straightened Herbertson took the inside run and he darted through to clear away even though he seemed to be racing a bit roughly. At the end he had just over nine metres to spare over a very game Frizza with Lochinvar Leader third.

Herbertson was certainly impressed. “It was a pretty good trip. I just come out a little earlier than I would have liked to and the little horse handled it well. He’s a real little professional and has a lovely turn of foot and he did the job on the line. I was really happy.”

“His turn of foot is electric. Hopefully he’s got a good future.”

David Moran’s success was with the Russell Jack trained You Gotta Believe (Captain Crunch).

You Gotta Believe easily held the lead from the pole with Soho Tuxedo taking the trail behind the leader. As the race progressed  You Gotta Believe continued to put more pressure on his rivals. He cleared away on turning for home and running his last quarter in 27.3 seconds cruised to a nine metre win over Kash Fund and Soho Tuxedo.

You Gotta Believe recorded an overall mile rate of 1.54.7 slightly faster than Loucasso who registered a mile rate of 1.55.4.

Moran was similarly impressed.

“He’s a cruisy little fella. He had a good run. Hopefully it will top him off and get him perfect for next week.”

“He’s a pretty smart horse but still a bit green here and there. He’s got a lot to learn. But he’s going to have a quite a bright future I hope.”

The final field for the Group 1 $150,000 Gold Crown Final for two year olds and geldings at Bathurst on 29 March is:

1. Rewatch
2. Usyk
3. Frizza (1^st Emergency)
4. Kash Fund
5. Pure Grunt
6. Message Bank
7. Mister Americano
8. Soho Park Avenue
9. Loucasso
10. Lexy (2^nd Emergency)
11. A Buck Ten
12. You Gotta Believe

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink