Wagga the scene for classic juvenile events

The Wagga Harness Racing club staged the first round of the $15000 heats of the NSW Challenge Stakes for two year olds last night and the small but select fields one for the colts and geldings the other for fillies did not disappoint with enthralling contests. The fillies event culminated in a dramatic protest which saw placings reversed.

The races also saw the presence of prominent Victorian reinsmen Greg Sugars, Mark Pitt and Zac Phillips. Indeed Sugars forsook a number of drives at the corresponding Melton meeting.

The colts and geldings division saw star Riverina Sweet Lou colt Double Lou extend his unbeaten sequence to four wins when he led all the way to hold off a brave Sanchez. The two dominated betting with Captain Cheddar the only other runner under double figure odds. 

Driver Peter McRae had no hesitation taking Double Lou to the front and Sanchez after being three wide early had no option but to race outside the leader. The two drew clear of their rivals near the final bend. Double Lou kicked clear on straightening but Sanchez refused to give in. Slowly but surely Sanchez gained ground but Double Lou by just over a metre with Captain Cheddar a distant third.

The mile rate of 1.52.8 saw a scintillating final quarter of 26.9 and reflected the class of the first two runners. 

Double Lou is trained by Peter Romero from the Wingara Park stables at Chiltern.

DOUBLE LOU REPLAY

The fillies division saw a protest reverse the placings. 

Promising filly Golden Shooz (Captain Crunch) trained by Jess Tubbs  from Myrniong in Victoria made the long trip to Wagga with Greg Sugars taking the reins. 

The Russell Jack trained Our Special Memory was backed into favouritism with Golden Shooz a well supported second favourite. Zac Phillips took Our Special Memory to the lead and Golden Shooz gradually moved up from three wide early to race outside the leader. 

Our Special Memory was still in front on straightening but she was beginning to run out with Golden Shooz still persisting alongside her. Despite gathering the leader towards the finish, Golden Shooz failed by a head. With the protest stewards deemed that had been inconvenienced and checked and a result reversed the placings. 

Lilly lotus ran a much improved race to finish third. Golden Shooz ran a 1.52.9 mile rate with even quarters of around 28 seconds for each quarter.

The quality of racing suggests the later rounds will be hard fought with the $150,000 Final to be conducted at Menangle on Sunday 27 October.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink