Domination continues strong affiliation

PROMINENT horseman Anton Golino continued his strong affiliation with the Need For Speed series by dominating tonight's Finals at Tabcorp Park Melton.

Renown for his prowess with trotters, Golino set the seen for a solid display in the Group Ones by capturing three of the four heats across two divisions last week.

Golino was triumphant in the qualifiers with Courmayeur, Amandine and Cravache Dor, with the latter two completing clean sweeps by securing the $60,000 deciders.

Driven by Nathan Jack, Amandine led throughout from barrier four to score by a half-head from her stablemate, Egret, which issued a gallant challenge along the passing lane.

La Perriere completed a Golino trifecta when 13-and-a-half metres away third.

"We've had a bit of luck in the fillies' series and tonight was another great result for the team," Golino said.

Rating 1:57.4 over 1720 metres, Amandine provided Golino with his fourth fillies' Final, having first enjoyed success with Une Belle Allure in 2017.

Amour De Frere repeated the dose the following year before Im Ready Jet was victorious in 2020.

Joy in the 'boys' Final had eluded Golino until Cravache Dor produced a rugged performance to outstay his rivals.

Also driven by Jack, Cravache Dor worked overtime in the 'death seat' on his way to a hard-fought win from Plymouth Chubb and Arcee Phoenix.

Rating 1:56.1, the three-year-old stretched his record to six wins and four placings from 13 starts.

"He showed potential last year, but has come back a better racehorse this time in," Golino said. "He's done all the work tonight and was still able to hold them off when it counted.

"He has had five starts this season for four wins and a second and is improving with every run.

"I'll probably give him a brief let-up now then get him ready for the Victoria Trotters' Derby."

HOOFNOTE: Golino and Jack so combined to win the Consolation with Revelstoke, which led throughout for an effortless 21-metre victory in 1:57.8.