Finals domination becoming a cliché

IN WHAT has become a cliché, record-breaking trainer Emma Stewart has dominated another collection of Finals.

Stewart is no stranger to winning each qualifier within a series having achieved the feat numerous times during the Vicbred Super Series and Breeders' Crown, while last March the Victorian horsewoman was triumphant in the three New South Wales Derby heats at Club Menangle.

In October 2024 Stewart not only captured each Victoria Derby heat, her team filled the trifectas!

As for her latest performance, Stewart won each Australian Pacing Gold heat in Bendigo a fortnight ago before securing the Finals in Melton last night.

"It was a great series for the stable," Stewart said. "I couldn't have been happier with the results, especially for our owners.

"To win the heats and the Finals is a perfect outcome for all involved."

With Mark Pitt in the cart, Loucasso led throughout from barrier three to score with ease in the colts' and geldings' division.

Never seriously challenged, the son of Sweet Lou cruised to a 15-and-a-half metre victory from Sols Me Name, with Eyeneedthat a metre-and-a-half away third.

Rating 1:55.8 over 1720 metres, Loucasso stretched his record to four wins and $92,204 in stakes from five starts for his large group of owners.

Primarily raced by the same interests, Degarmea Teale rounded out the double with a narrow triumph in the Fillies' Final.

Working to the lead from barrier four, Degarmea Teale staved off a late challenge from Ride The Highs along the sprint lane to score by a half-head.

Alot Like Jeannie was 15-and-a-half metres away third in 1:57.5.

Making her debut in the APG heat, the daughter of Captain Crunch is undefeated from two starts with Jackie Barker in the cart on each occasion.