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Outstanding harness racing gelding Lotus Louise (Volstead) proved his worth with a stirring finish to take out the $20,500 Club Menangle Arizona Blue two year old trotters final at Menangle Park last night.
In an entertaining race, second favourite San Juan Mountain showed blistering early speed from the mobile to sail to the lead.
Josh Gallagher on Lotus Louise, a prohibitive odds-on favourite, was more intent on settling the gelding early and allowed him to work up to fourth position. From their wide barriers outsiders Majorette and Majestic Funds worked across and trotted attractively behind San Juan Mountain.
John Ogden on San Juan Mountain tried to steal the race on leaving the back straight, but Gallagher allowed Lotus Louise to stride up to the leader on straightening. Sitting quietly, Gallagher let Lotus Louise stretch out, and over the last 100 metres he looked really impressive when he strode away to win by 2 metres from San Juan Mountain with Jackies Gift, who blew the start, making up a heap of ground for third placing.
LOTUS LOUISE REPLAY
In running 1.57.4 for the 1609 metres, Lotus Louise was not far from Aldebaran Ursula’s track record of 1.56.8 set in October 2020.
Lotus Louise has now won 5 of his 6 appearances for his trainer KerryAnn Morris, including two heats of the Arizona Blue 2YO Trot series. In doing so he has continued the amazing record of his sire Volstead who is taking all before him in 2YO and 3YO trotting events.
This was the last of the two-year-old trotters classics for the season in New South Wales and should he return, Lotus Louise will rank as one of the leading contenders for the derbies and sires series.
San Juan Mountain has now been placed at four of his seven appearances and has finished runner-up to Lotus Louise at his last three starts. He is certain to break his duck soon especially if he shows faultless trotting action as he did last night at Menangle.
For complete race results, click here.
by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink
