Empire City too good

Empire City (Volstead) is beginning to shape the record of a high end harness racing trotter with her win tonight (May 17) in the $70,000 Group Two IRT New Zealand Sires’ Stakes Three Year Old Trotters Championship, her sixth in just ten starts.

From a wide barrier driver Ricky May elected to sit parked early before taking his filly to the front with 1600 metres to run. There she stayed, going on to beat Father Barry by three quarters of a length with favourite Paramount Kiwi finishing third.

EMPIRE CITY REPLAY

Owned by Peter and Janet Argus the win was her fifth Group or Listed win.

“She’s been quality right from the start. Just one of those special horses, and I’m lucky to get one like her,” trainer Phil Williamson said.

After her impressive win Williamson confirmed Empire City will run in the $110,000 Group One Northern Trotting Derby next Friday night.

“After that we’ll go home. She’s probably feeling it a bit, the trip and the racing. I gave her a bit more work this week, trotting her up three times. She’ll probably have an easier week leading into the Derby. She’s in there with a good chance.”

The winning time was 2-47.6.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink