Harness Highlights

By Michael Howard

The APG Gold Bullion four-year-old final at Tabcorp Park Melton last Saturday night, was a mixed sex affair and, as mentioned, it was the mare Petillante who took the honours in the $80,000 race.

For trainer Emma Stewart and reinsman Mark Pitt, Petillante led and controlled proceedings, holding off the late advance of Eyethink, who sprung from leader’s back after an inspired Aaron Dunn drive, and race favourite District Attorney.

The latter lay in wait until the final turn but despite finishing well was unable to mow down the leaders amid the 27.2-second final quarter.

The win tipped Petillante over $200,000 in career earnings, a formidable career for the Clayton Tonkin owned mare who’s now been first past the post on 12 occasions.

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It was also a memorable night for reinsman Matt Craven, who produced a driving treble with Heza Son Of Agun and We Bettor Believe It scoring for his own stable and then, in the last, he teamed with Amy Day to win on Irvine, gifting the trainer her first Melton winner.