Ark Sea and Sparkling Sea in blistering Semi Final wins

Brilliant filly Ark Sea (Stay Hungry) staked her claims for the Breeders Challenge Final in two weeks time when she gave an effortless front running display to take out the Semi Final for two year old harness racing fillies at Menangle on Saturday evening.

A short priced favourite in a quality field which included the previously unbeaten Eye Wish and quality filly One More Reason Ark Seas showed glowing speed to take up the running from Eye Wish with Perfect Delight behind the leader.

Driver Will Rixon on Ark Sea kept a brisk pace and in running his last two quarters in 27.6 and 27.8 seconds she simply had too much pace for her rivals. Perfect Delight battled on well but was no match for Ark Royal who strolled home from just over twelve metres from Perfect Delight with Yirradiva running on for third placing.

With only one defeat in this year’s Protostar at Albion Park Ark Sea has been formidable in her wins this season. She is trained by Sam Hewitt at Goulburn.

ARK SEA OCT 11 REPLAY

Will Rixon was full of praise for Ark Sea.

“I absolutely love her for what she’s done so far. She’s been so impressive. She felt good tonight. She had the ear plugs in tonight. It was her first time leading tonight at Menangle. She had a look around. So it will do her the world of good.”

“There are some really nice horses around colts and fillies. She’s up there with them and it’s going to be a great final. What she’s done so far has been impressive. Not too many fillies would go up to Brisbane against the best colts and compete like she could. I’m really looking forward to the Final.”    

However she will have a worthy opponent in the Final as Sparkling Sea (Lather Up) was just as impressive in winning the Second Heat.

Sparkling Sea was matched against the previously unbeaten Degarmea Teale who was sent out a hot favourite. From barrier 3 Cameron Hart guided Degarmea Teale to the front. Brad Hewitt on Sparkling Sea allowed his filly to get balanced before allowing her to race up alongside the leader.

Smart filly Where’s My Reason took the trail behind the leader. However in the back straight Sparkling Sea started to put pressure on Degarmea Teale who didn’t appear to have her mind fully on the job. Showing her class Sparkling Sea drew clear. Degarmea Teale then came to the outside to try and issue another challenge but Sparkling Sea had plenty in reserve to score by over six metres from Degarmea Teale and Where’s My Reason a distant third.

SPARKLING SEA OCT 11 REPLAY

Sparkling Sea ran 1.51 in taking out her heat and last night went slower than Ark Sea in running 1.51.5

Clearly the barrier draw will be vital for the $150,000 Final and it should be a terrific clash between these two worthy fillies.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink