The world’s leading reinswoman, Kerryn Manning, and the most successful female trainer in this country, Emma Stewart, look set to go head-to-head in next week’s APG Sales Vicbred Super Series (3YO Fillies) Final.
The Manning-trained and driven Surfe La Mer ($2.10 fav) took out the first semi-final after she charged through along the sprint lane to defeat her stablemate Alifetimeforliving by half a head.
The daughter of American Ideal has now won five of her nine starts this season.
“She’s a nice little filly who has come a long way from last year. She has always been fast but a little untractable, but this year she has been really good,” Manning said.
Manning conceded Surfe La Mer enjoyed a cosy run during the race.
“There is not much between these two fillies. They were both a bit awkward in their two-year-old year and they have come a long way in their three-year-old year. I felt a little bit mean running past Alifetimeforliving as she did all the work,” she said.
Later in the night, Stewart also provided the quinella in the second semi-final when Beach Diamond ($1.15 fav), with NSW reinsman Cameron Hart in the sulky, led all the way to hold off stablemate Let Her Roll.
“She is a super little filly, a pleasure to drive, and everything you ask her to do she does for you,” Hart said.
The Sydney-based Hart, who heads the NSW Drivers Premiership, had enjoyed a busy 24 hours in the sulky.
“I had a trip down to Wagga yesterday for their big meeting and back up to Sydney last night, and back down here tonight,” he said.
Hart completed a race-to-race double after partnering Arrhythmia to an impressive victory in the First Semi-Final (2YO Fillies).
“I’m starting to get used to the travel with this job, but I love it and am very thankful that I get the opportunities to come and drive the type of horses that I have tonight.”
Stewart, who had 20 runners engaged in the APG semi-finals, finished the night with a winning quartet.
Aaron Bain Racing enjoyed dual-code success after Dual Pressure scored at Morphettville before the ownership group landed a winning double at Melton with Captain Perfect in the 3YO Colts & Geldings second semi-final and Beach Diamond.
Sent out a $1.50 favourite, Captain Perfect had little trouble finding the lead, and driver Mark Pitt ensured the race would test the stamina of his rivals as he allowed his charge to run through the first half (of the last mile) in 58.4.
The son of Captaintreacherous reeled off a 26.8 last 400, staving off stablemate Viney by a metre in a mile rate of 1:53.9, the fastest of the APG semi-finals.
“He is a tough guy and likes to roll along at a genuine tempo,” Pitt said.
“He doesn’t seem to have that high speed but if he can keep rolling and get to that high speed, he maintains it for a long time. This guy is a really good horse and, in time, he is going to be better,” he said.
