A trio of top-notch harness racing two-year-olds took out yesterday's Australian Pacing Gold two-year-old colts’ and geldings’ heats at Tabcorp Park Melton.
Christmas Jolt (Village Jolt / Christmas Cullen), Goodtime Sammy (Somebeachsomewhere / Graces Beach) and Kingofthestars (Sportswriter / Kirrilee Joy) all impressed and have ticked off the first important box ahead of the $322,000 final later this month at Menangle.
Smythes Creek trainer Emma Stewart trains both Goodtime Sammy and Kingofthestars.
The jury’s out regarding which of Stewart’s strong crop of two-year-old pacers is the best, but several have impressed, including today’s winners.
Goodtime Sammy was particularly impressive.
The colt – a half-brother to Goodtime Bobby – worked to the lead early doors in the 1720-metre race before putting a gap on his rivals down the back straight, racing about 30 metres clear.
When he swung for home Goodtime Sammy was still well in front and, while runner-up Most Happy Cullen cut into the final winning margin late, reinsman Greg Sugars hardly moved a muscle aboard Goodtime Sammy who coasted home by 4.7 metres in a mile rate of 1:56.8.
It was the winner’s third triumph from three starts following a debut victory over Brallos Pass at Charlton and a last-start 7.9-metre triumph over Rocknroll Gold.
As good as Goodtime Sammy was the murmurs around the traps are that stablemate Kingofthestars might be even better.
Driven by Nathan Jack, Kingofthestars was able to work to the lead and hold off all comers late for a 13.5-metre win over Brallos Pass in a mile rate of 1:56.5.
Today’s meeting opened with Christmas Jolt taking out the first heat of the APG for Peter Manning and reinswoman daughter Kerryn Manning.
Christmas Jolt, who won his first four races before running second to Don’t Holt Back in blistering time at Melton, bounced back today to make it five from six with a nine-metre win over Herehecomes in a 1:57 flat mile rate.
Christmas Jolt dictated out in front before cruising home, punters who took the shorts – $1.60 – at no point nervous.
It was a good day for favourite punters, with Goodtime Sammy ($1.04), Kingofthestars ($1.80), Glenferrie Burn ($1.80), Bettor Downunder ($1.50), Wingara ($1.10) and Kyvalley Vice ($2.10) all prevailing.
>> Video Replays
Goodtime Sammy runs his rivals off their legs!
Christmas Jolt bounces back to winners' list
Kingofthestars makes it two APG Heat winners for Stewart
by Cody Winnell