HIS acceleration down the straight in his qualifying win was impressive, but the ominous sign for Mach Dan's rivals in the Gold Crown Final is that he still had something left in reserve.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Emma Stewart trained gelding was a convincing 10 metres winner in Saturday night's 1,730m heat at the Bathurst Gold Crown Paceway, booking himself a place in the $100,000 Group 1 decider.
The Lagoon's Amanda Turnbull was in the gig for that winning heat drive and will get the job again in the final.
That prospect has her excited.
While Turnbull was able to get away with a 62.2 seconds opening half, that Mach Dan got home in a 27.8 split and was cruising at that pace is a promising sign.
"He's just a natural little race horse, he's quiet but he just did what I wanted him to do," Turnbull said.
"I didn't want to kill him early, so that was the plan. He drew good [barrier four], so that's all he had to do really.
"I think he's got more left yeah, he felt like he did it pretty comfortable."
Both Stewart, who is based in Victoria, and Turnbull will be chasing their maiden Gold Crown trophy this Friday night.
It is the only major race of the Bathurst Harness Racing Club's annual carnival that has eluded Turnbull, who won last year's Gold Bracelet (Art Series), drove the 2015 Gold Tiara winner (Pixies Parlour) and has twice saluted in the Gold Chalice (2017 Atomic Red, 2014 Mighty Gift).
While Mach Dan has now won each of his three starts, including the Group 2 Sapling Stakes, Turnbull knows the barrier draw will be important and he faces some talented rivals.
"I'd say he'd be a chance, but we'll just wait and see what happens in the other heats and who gets through," she said.
The top priced colt from the 2018 Melbourne Australian Pacing Gold sale - $100,000 being paid for the son of Mach Three and Bettor Give It - Mach Dan was a short $1.18 favourite for his heat.
READ MORE: Quiet drive, loud cheers for Pat McGarry
While Mach Dan showed gate speed and was able to cross and take the lead, $6.50 second-elect Forever Yin galloped out and lost some 15m.
Driver Blake Jones was able to get Forever Yin back in stride and charged forward three-wide on the bell to join the frontrunners, but the effort told and and he had to settle for fourth.
Mach Dan had no such dramas, lifting the tempo down the back straight to hit the bend 3m in front, but his real acceleration followed.
The battle for the minor placings was tighter, with Jarrod Alchin's My Ultimate Star ($26) coming from last at the 400m mark to snatch second place.
His gelding was a half neck ahead of the Bernie Hewitt trained, Doug Hewitt driven The Mustang ($15).
While third was not enough for The Mustang to qualify for the Group 1 decider, Doug Hewitt was pleased with the effort.
"Jarrod's came down the outside and just got me on the line," he said.
"It was a massive run home, he's a horse that's learned a lot the last three weeks and he's still got a fair bit to learn.
"He's got all the ability in the world, hopefully he'll be a serious horse later on.
"Third means he's in a consolation, but I'd say he'll be a threat in the consolation."
