Success for ‘Amore’ on both sides of the Tasman

Harness racing trainer Steve Dolan and his partner Devon van Til are on cloud nine after a magic twenty four hours. 

The ‘Amore rush’ started last night at Albion Park in Brisbane when Amore Vita, (Art Major) owned by Dolan and the estate of Grant Adamson, won the group one Garrards The Golden Girl in the hands of Chris Alford for trainer Emma Stewart. 

Dolan wasn’t on track to see the win because he’s on the other side of the world following racing, most recently at the Meadowlands Pace in America. 

“I had to video call Steve so he could watch the race. He fielded plenty of calls after and talked to Clayton (Tonkin), Emma and Chris and they were all just rapt with her,” said van Til. 

The win was Amore Vita’s fourteenth and third Group One success. She’s also won the G1 Vic Bred Super Series for Two Year Old Fillies and the G1 Vic Bred Super Series for Three Year Old Fillies. 

Fast forward to today at Addington and Amore Vita’s little sister Amore Infida (Captaintreacherous) impressively won for Woodend Beach trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn. 

In today’s race driver John Dunn let the two year old filly settle after the mobile left the 1980 metre start point, before sending her forward to take the lead. Although she raced greenly, when Dunn pushed the go button just before the home straight she put three lengths on the chasing pack, holding on to win by one and three quarter lengths from Wallflower (Bettor’s Delight). 

AMORE INFIDA REPLAY

“John was happy with the run. He said the slight gear improvements worked and he took luck out of the equation.” 

Between June 2022 and her debut today, Amore Infida has been to four workouts and four trials mainly for Dolan. She was transferred to the Dunn stable last month. 

“She’s a bit like her sister. They like to run this way and that and it’s hard to get them channelled. But they’re great gaited horses so it does seem to affect them too much. She’s taken a bit of time, but she’s really grown a leg out at the beach by being trained in a straight line. Johnny’s done a great job in adjusting her steering gear and she’s finally putting it all together.” 

As a yearling Amore Infida was the last lot on Day One of the 2021 NZB Standardbred Sales in Christchurch and was passed in with a reserve of $65,000. 

“Steve decided not to let it go and he was quite happy to take her back because he thought she was a beautiful looking yearling.” 

Amore Vita and Amore Infida are out of Castellina Lover (McArdle) which the late Grant Adamson and Dolan bought at the 2010 National Yearling Sales for $32,500. Before going to stud she won seven races for the pair. 

“I didn’t mind her being by McArdle. She looked more like an In The Pocket – a speedy type. I tried to buy her half-sister by Dream Away (Edith Piaf) the previous year,” Steve said.  

Amore Infida is owned by Karen Adamson, van Til, Mike Tanev and Wayne Milligan. 

“Steve’s lucky to have Castellina Lover with Karen (Adamson). It’s a great family,” van Til added.  

In reference to Wayne Milligan she said “Wayne’s a bit of a four leaf clover for Steve. He’s been in a few good ones like Anything Goes (American Ideal). Steve offered Mike and Wayne a share in this horse because they didn’t get a yearling at the sales that year. They were happy to come on board and Karen was happy for them to be in as well.” 

Dolan and van Til are currently working a two year old Bettors Delight filly (Assisi Lover) out of Castellina Lover.  

“She seems really nice as well, is just being jogged up at the moment. She’s quite a big girl so she may take a bit of time as well.” 

Castellina Lover is in foal to Tall Dark Stranger. 

“Steve likes looking ahead and picking who’s going to be the next best thing. That’s what he did with Amore Infida, but it was probably a year too early because people hadn’t cottoned on to the Captaintreacherous’s when she was at the sales. Now they’re starting to realise how good a sire he is. That’s why Steve follows American races, particularly the two year olds. Hopefully he’s made a good choice with Tall Dark Stranger.” 

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink