A Vicbred screamer

By Tim O’Connor (HRV)

Petracca helped ease the heartbreak of his AFL club Melbourne-mad owner by providing him with some September finals success on a blockbuster night of harness racing at Tabcorp Park Melton last Saturday night.

The Emma Stewart-trained pacer broke his Group 1 drought with a dominant display in the Vicbred Super Series final for three-year-old colts and geldings, leading and then racing clear to beat stablemates Techys Watching and Perfect Class by more than 10m.

His victory was just the tonic for Danny Zavitsanos, who purchased the son of Captaintreacherous and named him after Demons superstar Christian Petracca.

The triumph was the third of four on the all-Group 1 card for reinsman Mark Pitt, who missed an important family wedding in New South Wales to drive at Saturday night’s $1.5 million meeting.

“He is a lovely little fella,” Pitt said after the race.

“I am surprised that he hasn’t won a Group 1, but he had the draw (barrier one) on the lot of them and it was always good to use that advantage.

“He just travelled so well and when I asked him to go, he went.”

Stewart created a new record for most winners trained at a single Victorian harness meeting when she claimed nine, of last weekend’s Vicbred Super Series semi-finals, and captured five, from a 12 on the card, Group 1 deciders – four in the pacing ranks – seven days later.

2023 VICBRED SUPER SERIES PACING WINNERS
The Storm Inside Vicbred Super Series for 2YO pacing colts and geldings
Champion – Stormryder
Trainer – Emma Stewart
Driver – Mark Pitt
Always B Miki Vicbred Super Series for 3YO pacing fillies
Champion – Sahara Breeze
Trainer – Gary and Debbie Quinlan
Driver – Chris Alford
Vincent Vicbred Super Series for 3YO pacing colts and geldings
Champion – Petracca
Trainer – Emma Stewart
Driver – Mark Pitt
Art Major Vicbred Super Series for 2YO pacing fillies
Champion – Draw A Dream
Trainer – Emma Stewart
Driver – Kerryn Manning
Ride High Vicbred Super Series for 4YO pacing entires and geldings
Champion – Solesseo Matuca
Trainer – Andy Gath
Driver – Kate Gath
Rock N Roll Heaven Vicbred Super Series for 4YO pacing mares
Champion – Amore Vita
Trainer – Emma Stewart
Driver – Chris Alford