Tuesday 7th April 2015 – Victorian harness racing trainer Emma Stewart has a tremendous record at Tabcorp Park Menangle. Stewart has won numerous Gr.1 races in Sydney and she is hoping she can add the APG final for two year old colts and geldings to the list this year. Goodtime Sammy and Kingofthestars both won heats of the APG last Wednesday at Melton and will head to Sydney to compete in the semi finals on Saturday week.
"We've won some nice races at Menangle, our horses have shown in the past they can handle the travel and the big track at Menangle," Stewart said.
"Both of the two year olds are nice horses and did a good job in winning their heats but it is going to be harder in the semi finals and the final, should they get that far."
Stewart has confirmed the biggest issue on APG semi final night for her stable will be finding drivers at Menangle.
"On that Saturday night (18th April) Menangle has the semi finals of the APG and Melton has the Victorian Oaks so a lot of the leading Victorian drivers will already be committed to fillies in Melbourne which is going to be a bit of an issue but I'm sure we'll find someone to drive them."
Kingofthestars recorded the fastest time of the three Victorian heats and Stewart has a bit of time for the son of Sportswriter.
"I really like Kingofthestars, he is really well mannered and got home in sub 57 seconds for his final half and is probably the pick of my two."
"Goodtime Sammy is a very nice horse as well but he still has a bit to learn, I actually think the trip to Sydney might do him the world of good, he is still learning about being a racehorse."
Mark Purdon's Our Waikiki Beach was impressive in winning his APG heat at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Tuesday.
"He is a very nice two year old, he is unbeaten but he hasn't run a scintillating time yet," Purdon said.
"He would need to keep on improving for me to rank him right up there with some of the top two year olds that I have had in the last few seasons but to be fair to him he hasn't had that many starts yet."
Greg Hayes