Winning treble for driver Emily Suvaljko kicks off 50-year celebrations for Albany Harness Racing Club

Driver Emily Suvaljko claimed a winning treble to kick off Albany Harness Racing Club’s 50th year celebrations on Friday night. The first meeting of the 2024-25 season for the club consisted of an eight-race card and Suvaljko was on fire winning three of those. After a second placing in the opening event, Suvaljko then fired short-priced favourite Heez A Vibe to victory in the Harry Capararo Memorial Sprint Prelude 1 (1832m). The Michael Young-trainer Heez A Vibe ($1.05) led throughout and went on to beat Princess Kate by 3.9m in the first of two heats. Suvaljko then made it a double as she drove Recover Lover to a strong win over 2265m in race four. The Hayden Reeves-prepared mare was held back early in the race before storming home to win by 3.7m over Spring Line. Young and Suvaljko then combined to win the Alkoomi Wines 4YO+ Pace (2265m) as Lamanider got up in a close finish. Lamandier ($2.60) fought strongly in the home straight to beat $71 outsider Tubbs Farquhar by 2.1m while $1.95 favourite Blaze On was third. Suvaljko also ran second on two more occasions, in races three and five. Liquidator was the winner of the Harry Capararo Memorial Sprint Prelude 2 for trainer Bob Poolman. Starting from the second row, Liquidator ($17) was put into the race by driver Wesley Andrews in the middle stages and ran strong in the final lap to beat Suvaljko driving Bonnie Pauline by 5.6m on the line. Albany trainer Tim Stone tasted success in the opening event with $9 chance Ninety Mile Beach winning impressively on debut. Reeves trained a winning double after Del Bocavista Bay prevailed in race five while driver Liam Elliott also had two winners, saluting with Ninety Mile Beach and Heavenly Bliss. Trainer-driver Leo Wallrodt took out the final face with short-priced favourite My Sweet Addiction. The third heat of the Harry Capararo Memorial Sprint will be held this Friday at Harold Reid Paceway. The $11,000 Lion Christmas Cup will highlight the meeting.