Ark Sea’s impressive Breeders Challenge Semi Final win

Star filly Ark Sea (Stay Hungry) gave a gritty performance in leading all the way in the Second Semi Final of the New South Wales Breeders Challenge for three year old fillies at Menangle on Saturday evening.

Considered a certainty on the basis of her previous winning efforts Ark Sea driven by Will Rixon was expected to to the lead which she did when the gate was released. However she was taken on early by One More Reason who had a crack for the lead before sitting outside the leader. The pair ran their first quarter in 26.7 seconds and the second in 27.9 seconds as Ark Sea was given little respite in front. One More Reason continued to worry Ark Sea on straightening but the latter break got a vital break even as outsider Cocos Desire was winding up wide.

ARK SEA 24 OCT REPLAY

However Ark Sea showing her class proved to be a clear winner over a game One More Reason with Cocos Desire running the race of her life in third.

Ark Sea’s winning time of 1.49.7 broke the established race record of 1.49.8 set by Anntonia.

Last year Ark Sea was disqualified from the two year old final but no one would begrudge connections if she was to make amends next Saturday night in the Group 1 $150,000 Final.

Queensland filly Stripes (Tiger Tara) continued her outstanding form of late giving nothing else in winning the first heat of the New South Wales Breeders Challenge at Menangle on Saturday evening.

Held back at the start by driver Cameron Hart, Stripes settled in the back half of the field as Fake Friends showed blistering speed to head off Eye Wish. Go Easy On Me who had some support had no luck early as she was left one out and eventually dragged the field up to race outside the breeze. But in the process this gave Stripes the perfect trail and she was always poised to strike.

STRIPES 24 OCT REPLAY

Eased out three wide on the final bend Stripes finished too strongly for a comfortable win over Eye Wish who did secure an inside run at the top of the home straight while Highindelight came from well back for an eye catching third just ahead of Fake Friends.

Stripes has now won her last five starts including a Group 1 success in the Queensland Triad Final at Albion Park and she’ll be a worthy state representative when she fronts up in the Final next week.

 

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink