Trainer Emma Stewart and driver Cameron Hart combined yet again when Brooklyn Dan (Captain Crunch) was perfectly driven to take out the $100,000 Group 2 Llowalong Farms Gold Chalice final for three year old colts and geldings at Bathurst on Saturday evening.

In the previous fillies classic Willows Girl was successful and Brooklyn Dan’s win gave the harness racing duo the double in the Group 2 three year old events.

Cameron Hart winning driver  (Club Menangle Photo)

However given the presence of the previously unbeaten Hollywood Strip and the much improved Yottie, Brooklyn Dan was not highly fancied. From his wide draw Hollywood Strip didn’t show his customary early speed and driver Brad Hewitt eased him back mid field.

Soho Trump flew out of the mobile to take up the running ahead of Yottie and Brooklyn Dan. Yottie moved off the rails to race outside the leader which gave Brooklyn Dan the perfect run behind the leader. Hollywood Strip didn’t look comfortable and at one stage seemed to race ungenerously.

BROOKLYN DAN 28 MAR REPLAY

Even so he was expected to be right in the finish but he never looked comfortable and it was obvious that he was labouring on the final bend. Yottie put the pressure on Soho Trump but Brooklyn Dan was coasting behind and it was just a case of him getting the run which he did at the top of the straight.

Yottie fought on determinedly but Brooklyn Dan had his measure to record a one metre win over Yottie with Hollywood Strip only another one metre away third. Brooklyn Dan ran 1.52.6 faster than the fillies division.

Hollywood Strip may have lost his unbeaten record but given that he only finished two metres from the winner it was still a meritorious performance.

Brooklyn Dan has raced in quality fields in the past and he won the Caduceous Classic at Melton last month. Brooklyn Dan’s dam the unraced Bettors Delight mare Eye Betta Fly has been a profilic producer at stud leaving the winners Eye Can Run, Eye Can Fly and Eye Can Try.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink