The race saw a return to trotting races for Newcastle and they attracted a small but quality field. All eyes were on French import Krystal Josselyn who had won his last three tests at Menangle. Trained by Anton Golino, who has an excellent track record with trotters, Krystal Josselyn was ridden by Luke McCarthy.
The other interesting runner was the promising Sunset Hill who Keayang Zahara ran to two meters at The Great Square in Albion Park last year.
A clean send saw Krystal Josselyn take a clear lead, while Sunset Hill took a trail behind the leader. Watts Up Partytime started safely and driver Ashleigh Delosa had him racing outside the leader.
WATTS UP PARTYTIME FEB 27 REPEAT
The race changed color on the straight when Krystal Josselyn suddenly split, leaving Watts Up Partytime a clear leader. Kystal Josselyn didn’t lose too much ground, but then broke apart again and this time was relegated to the back of the field.
Sunset Hill set off after Watts Up Partytime but this one had too much of a break and he pulled away to continue for an impressive 17m win over Sunset Hill, finishing just ahead of Speedy Lover. The winner ran a time of 1:53.7 for the mile, breaking Knight Pistol’s 18-year-old track record of 1:59.4.
Trainer Rickie Alchin has always had high opinions of Watts Up Partytime and last year he showed his class when winning the Great Southern Star at Melton.
His win secured Watts Up Partytime a place in the Group1 $100,000 Hammerhead Mile at Menangle on March 14.
There is no doubt that Watts Up Partytime is a class trotter on his night and when he trots he will be tough to beat in the Hammerhead Mile as Keayang Zahara is unlikely to take part in the event. However, star trotter Gus from Queensland may make the journey for the coveted Trotters sprint.
Trainer Anton Golino will undoubtedly have a challenge in getting Krystal Josselyn to trot healthily again, but he will need to trot cleanly to have any chance of winning any of the big upcoming races. He will now have to compete satisfactorily in a trial before returning to the circuit.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
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