18.08.08
Muscles Yankee colts sweep Breeders Crown Finals
The progeny of outstanding US trotting sire Muscles Yankee dominated the age group Breeders Crown Finals on Super Sunday at Bendigo with Magic Interest a brilliant all-the-way winner of the 2YO Final and the regally bred Skyvalley destroying his rivals in the 3YO equivalent...
The progeny of outstanding US trotting sire Muscles Yankee dominated the age group Breeders Crown Finals on Super Sunday at Bendigo with Magic Interest a brilliant all-the-way winner of the 2YO Final and the regally bred Skyvalley destroying his rivals in the 3YO equivalent.
The consistent Magic Interest displayed faultless manners throughout the 2,150m Group One event, getting to the lead after 400m and never relinquishing it, holding off the barnstorming late challenge of an unlucky Down Under Muscles (Muscles Yankee), who lost a conservative 40m at the start after breaking, and Sassy Pinevale (CR Commando) who enjoyed a great run in behind the leader, to score by 2.8m.
It was the Maree Caldow trained runner’s third career win, with his share of the $158,000 in prize-money taking his earnings to just over $116,000.
Magic Interest is the latest star from broodmare gem Late Withdrawal, who has also left former Dullard Cup champion National Interest, the winner of 33 races and over $350,000 in his lucrative career, and the brilliant filly Right Interest, who won the 3YO Breeders Crown as well as NSW Trotters Oaks and Derby amongst others for earnings of over $170,000.
The 3YO Breeders Crown Trotters Final was taken out in emphatic fashion by Chris Lang’s rising star Skyvalley. The beautifully bred colt enjoyed a dream run in mid-field, tracking the favourite Danny Bouchea’s every move before going up to challenge the pace-making Lord Of The Gym (Muscles Yankee) on the home turn and sailing on by to record a 15m win in a new track record time of 2.38.9 for the 2,150m (a mile rate of 1:59).
The under-rated filly Aldebaran Maori, by yet another Nevele R frozen semen stallion in Dream Vacation, finished strongly to take second from a gallant Lord Of The Gym, who hung on for third.
Out of the brilliant filly Chiola’s Lass, Skyvalley is a half brother to champion NZ mare Allegro Agitato, winner of more than $529,000 in stakes and 22 races on the track, including 11 at Group or Listed level. Skyvalley himself has now won 6 races for $85,786 in prize-money.
In other good results for Nevele R’s stallions on the day, Garnet River, a 2yo son of first season sire Red River Hanover, finishing second in the 2YO Colts & Geldings Final. The talented Youthful Stakes winner has enjoyed a great first season of racing, having won or placed in nine of his 10 juvenile starts for $99,375 in earnings.
