MAORI TIME’S RACE CAREER CONTINUES TO BLOSSOM

Australia’s top trotting mare Maori Time was at her best at Melton on Saturday when she was an all the way winner in the Group 3 Derby Royale Free For All. Trotting home in 55.6, she despatched some classy squaregaiters including millionaire Keystone Del. The daughter of Pegasus Spur has now banked over $285,000 in stakes and this was career win number 18. Congratulations to her owner and breeder Fred Crews.

On the same card Desert Spur was rewarded for consistency with a win and at Auckland Arethusa Spur was a debut winner for John and Josh Dickie, giving the fairer sex of sire Pegasus Spur a great week.

Bettor’s Delight left no fewer than 30 winners on both sides of the ditch this week. Among those greeting the judge where Utmost Delight in the 3yo fillies’ sires stakes heat at Auckland, top flight mare Dodolicious resumed at Gloucester Park to win, The Bettormack won at Launceston and Murano and Rave Moonraker led in a Bettor’s Delight double at Menangle. American Ideal had good quality winners in Our Pepperjack at Menangle, Takara Truffle remains undefeated in Australia after victory at Tamworth, Ideal Rule won at Invercargill and Palmisano was a Launceston winner.