At the harness racing meeting at Addington tonight, the first of this season's classics for two year old trotters was held and as expected the well performed Muscles Yankee filly High Gait was too smart.
However the victory while expected was far from easy and High Gait was fully extended by both Wilma's Mate and Conon Bridge.
High Gait worked to the lead from barrier six for Natalie Rasmussen and held the front until a lap out where Wilma's Mate and David Butt looped the field and grabbed the lead.
Conon Bridge and Bob Butt followed Wilma's Mate around and ended up in the death seat before receiving some cover when All Star Angus circled them to sit parked.
Wilma's Mate led for home and it took most of the straight for High Gait up the passing lane to grab the daughter of Pegasus Spur by half a neck with Conon Bridge finishing on again for a great debut third.
Natalie was happy with the performance from the daughter of Muscles Yankee.
" She is such a wee tradesman and is a natural two year old."
" You can use her a bit and she also has a bit of speed so that gives you plenty of options in a race."
" She wont race that much more this season with the Sires Stakes and Harness Jewels the two main races she is aiming for."
" If we look after her at two, she should come back a lovely three year old," Natalie said.
The other two first starters from the All Stars barn in Missandei and All Star Angus both showed enough on debut to suggest bright futures.
" They are both pretty inexperienced and will have a bit more racing before the big races."
"There is not that much between the three of them to be honest," Natalie said.
These days two year old trotting races are as hard to win as any other race on the program and several of tonights runners look to have big futures.
Harnesslink Media.