30 March 2019
GOLD CROWN | AMANDA RANDO
THE 2019 Gold Crown Carnival at Bathurst delivered like no other.
It was the first time in history the three-year-old legs were lifted to Group 1 status, giving last night’s Grand Final night four Group 1 races worth $100,000 each.
And the class in horseflesh certainly delivered to match this prestige.
The fairer sex kicked off the first of the Group 1 Finals with the Craig Cross-trained No Win No Feed winning the Yirribee Stud Gold Bracelet Final.
By A Rocknroll Dance and out of the Art Major mare Designer Rose, No Win No Feed gave reinsman Todd McCarthy his second win on Gold Crown night after he won last year’s Gold Chalice Final with Lifeonthebeach.
No Win No Feed led throughout rating 1:55.5.
“I was surprised how wick she left the arm,” said McCarthy.
“I put the foot down when her main rival got close and that was the telling move.”
The next Group 1 Final was the Apsley View Estate Gold Tiara that was won by Michelle Lee Mac.
The daughter of Bettors Delight and Duets gave trainer Kerry McDowell her first Group1 success and gave veteran reinsman Colin McDowell his second success in the race after winning the inaugural edition in 1987 with Loves A Dance.
“We had plenty of luck at the top of the lane,” Colin McDowell said following the race.
“She is a very good filly and have always had a good opinion of her.”
The two Group 1 Finals for the boys went to Victoria.
Classy three-year-old Lochinvar Art was too strong in the Gold Chalice Final clocking 1:54.5 with David Moran in the sulky.
The colt overcame the tricky draw of inside the second row and a mid-race move won the race.
“I had to put him into the race when I did,” said Moran.
“He gives 100 per cent every time he goes around.
“We will aim him at the Breeders Challenge series now.”
The action did not stop there, with promising two-year-old Jilliby Nitro making a statement with his decisive win in the Tooheys New Gold Crown Final.
Driven by Jason Lee, the Bettors Delight/Kiewa Valley colt set a new race record when leading throughout and clocking a scintillating 1:53.8.
“He copped a fair bit of mid-race pressure and stuck to his guns well in the run to the line,” said Lee.
“We will aim him at the Australian Pacing Gold now.”
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 33 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by a Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
HRNSW MEDIA CONTACT:
AMANDA RANDO | MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 • arando@hrnsw.com.au• @Amanda_Rando