Volstead juvenile filly powerful in Addington debut

The heady ascension in the harness racing stallion ranks gained further momentum for the Swedish G1 winning Sire, Volstead (Cantab Hall), with a stylish winning debut from his two-year-old daughter, Empire City, at Addington Raceway tonight (30th June).

The Phil Williamson-trained juvenile was having her first race day appearance under the bright lights at headquarters against the older and more experienced maiden trotters. However, it was the talented filly who looked like the seasoned campaigner, delivering a withering finish in the hands of Ricky May to make her race debut a successful one.

EMPIRE CITY REPLAY

Safely away from the 2000m stand, the daughter of first-season sire Volstead was patiently handled at the rear of the field for the first mile of the race.

May gave Empire City a bit of rein at the 400m and she responded with a sharp turn of acceleration, making up several lengths on the leading pair with consummate ease.

It’s becoming a clear and established pattern for Volstead with the son of Cantab Hall producing winner after winner with a steady production line of to date, talented female squaregaiters in Australia, North America and New Zealand.

With less than 100 foals (94) combined world wide in his first season at stud, Volstead has belied the opportunity afforded to him and produced classic winners and high priced sales for connections with his progeny.

North American two-year-old filly, Sugar Instead, was recently sold for $150,000 on the back of a winning qualifier which at the time made her the fastest two-year-old trotter in the United States of either sex. She contests the $150,000 Next Generation series at Scioto Downs this Saturday where she will look to make her race debut an early return on investment.

In Australasia, two Volstead fillies won classics in the space of two-days with the Mark Purdon trained We Can Have It All winning the $36k North Island Young Guns Series final. A day later it was the Nathan Jack trained Violet Stanford winning the $50k Vicbred Platinum HomeGrown 2YO Fillies Trot at Listed level.

Tonights Addington Raceway winner looks to be every bit as good and becomes the fifth race day winner down under, and the fifth filly to boot.

She is the second foal out of the eight-year-old The Pres mare, Liberty City, who is off to a flyer as a broodmare having left the four win and G3 Oaks placed,  American Muscle (Muscle Mass), with her first foal.

Empire City is foal number two and her breeders, Peter and Janet Argus must be licking their chops at the prospect of having a yearling full sister waiting in the wings.

Empire City trotted the 2000m journey from the stand in a winning time of 2:35.9. The last mile was run in 2:05.4 with a last half in 58.5 and final quarter of 28.9. Sharp splits for a juvenile who has no doubt gone faster given the ground she made up over the last half lap.

Another daughter of Volstead to keep an eye on is the Greg and Nina Hope trained, Freya.

Unbeaten in two public appearances, a fortnight ago she qualified in quicker time and mile rate than tonights winner at Rangiora over the same distance, albeit from a mobile.

FREYA QUALIFIER

For complete Addington race results, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink