While all but one qualified for the semi-finals from the heats, the pecking order in the Alabar Farms Vicbred Super Series mares’ class was firmed on night one at Bendigo.
Leading fancy Kualoa’s scratching removed a contender and Miss McGongal and Our Princess Tiffany both dominated their heats, while Enchanted Stride reminded that if run to suit she’s also a contender.
That was the tale of the tape as contenders dusted off any cobwebs and sailed into the December 22 semi-finals with confidence high.
First up was Miss McGonagal, who only added to her reputation with a commanding win in the night’s first heat for trainer/dad Stephen Clarke and reinsman/son Connor Clarke.
After the initial burst she was guided to the front by her 17-year-old reinsman and was untroubled, getting home in 54.5 seconds to win comfortably, albeit with Itzamajor Surprise hot on her heels in second.
“She’s actually a really strong mare, she can do it a lot of different ways, she’s very versatile,” Connor told Trots Vision. “She just runs it out. She just keeps going, she won’t stop. She waits for them a bit, but she just keeps plugging along.
“She’s a real tough mare and also has the speed, she’s got the x-factor at the moment.”
The script was thrown out for the second mares’ heat, first with initial favourite Kualoa’s scratching and a surprise in the run as Goodtime Grace crossed new favourite, Two Times Bettor.
Trainer-driver David Miles took the opportunity to then advance Enchanted Stride to the head of affairs in a 28.3-second first quarter and from there he controlled the race, getting a breather with 31.2 and 30.3 middle quarters before sealing the win with a 27.9-second sprint home.
Two Times Bettor advanced four wide to claim second, narrowly ahead of Heavens Showgirl.
“When the one horse got crossed we just had to go to plan B, knowing that Michael (Stanley) would want to put the favourite three back on the fence in a little bit more of a pocket we slid around,” Miles said.
“We just had to do a little bit more work than we wanted too – 28.3 – but we were able to back off the next half in a tick over 61 and then sprint the last 400.
“(Enchanted Stride’s) taken on the best, she’s run third in a Breeders Crown final behind Kualoa and Princess Tiffany and then she ran fourth behind those two and I think it might have been Two Times Bettor the next year.
“She’s won a Tassie Oaks and she’s been thereabouts, but we just haven’t quite been able to win that Group 1 with her. Fingers crossed this series is her series.”
To achieve that she’ll have to again contend with Our Princess Tiffany, who was in complete control of the final heat of the night, with Chris Alford advancing to the lead from gate six for trainer Dean Braun.
She then zipped home in a 55.9 last half to hold all comers, with Error running into second from leader’s back.
“She was pretty casual in front, when (Error) came at her half way up the straight she just did enough to hold it and I think she still had another gear or two there,” Alford said.
“Like most good horses, they know when to extend themselves and hopefully that will top off her for the semis and finals.”
