Yottie winning his NSW Breeders Challenge Semi-Final at Menangle last Saturday night. Photo by Club Menangle
THIS Saturday night's $150,000 Nutrien Equine NSW Breeders Challenge Three-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Final is wide open following the barrier draw.
The qualifying semi-finals at Menangle last Saturday saw the two leading contenders bring their ‘A’ game to prove just why they are vying for favouritism for the Group 1 with the Bernie Hewitt-trained gelding Yottie and Seaton Grima’s boom colt Loucasso both producing emphatic performances leading throughout and recording sub1:50 times in their respective races.
Yottie contested the first semi-final was under siege at the top of the lane but fought on strongly to score by a half-head over a fast-finishing Frizza who came from near last in1:49.6 for the mile. Alert Bay was close-up in third.
But Grima and Loucasso made a statement four races later by coming out and giving his rivals a pacing lesson with his abundant speed and power, astonishingly appearing to have something in reserve despite breaking the Australasian three-year-old record stopping the clock at 1:47.6!
However, despite this performance the barrier draw for the final significantly favours Yottie who is likely to start from gate three given that the two reserves have drawn to his inside.
In contrast, Loucasso did not fair so well, coming up with barrier 10 which will improve marginally should the emergencies come out.
Given Yottie’s gate speed, and the better draw it will be interesting to see what tactics will be adopted by Hewitt and Grima.
Following Saturday night’s racing, Bernie Hewitt said that he was extremely happy with where his youngster is at, believing that he is still on the way up.
“He went super in the semi on Saturday night,” said Hewitt.
“Going into the series I knew I would have to get a few runs under his belt before the final should he happen to make it, and Saturday’s solid run should top him off perfectly.
“It is going to be a good race, and I have the upmost respect for Loucasso.
“Our fella is still learning his craft but has proven that he has above average ability while Loucasso continues to show that he is a superstar.”
