Eye Keep Smiling’s trademark courage to the fore

Outstanding mare Eye Keep Smiling (Sweet Lou) showed that she is ready to defend her Queen Elizabeth Mile crown when she gave one of the best performances of her harness racing career to land the Listed Prydes Robin Dundee Stakes at Menangle on Saturday evening.

Last season Eye Keep Smiling swept everything before her in New South Wales and Queensland including her sterling win in last years Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Menangle. But this time in, it has taken the star mare some time to get her act together.

But on the strength of a strong trial win at Menangle over a week Eye Keep Smiling had shown she was back in business although punters still shied away and supported speedy mare Tokyo Rose instead.

EYE KEEP SMILING 25 APR REPLAY

Tokyo Rose as expected went straight to the lead crossing Post Painter going a quick first quarter in 26.6 seconds. By contrast Eye Keep Smiling was back at the rear but with about 800 metres to go Luke McCarthy let Eye Keep Smiling around the field but she was three wide trying to cross over Sugar Pie Honey.

Tokyo Rose though looked as if she a bit enough reserve and she was being acclaimed the winner as she drew clear at the top of the straight and Eye Keep Smiling was paddling under pressure.

But in the last 100 metres Tokyo Rose started to shorten stride and Eye Keep Smiling continued to persevere. But in addition both Wicked Confession and Lux Aeterna were also making up ground in the shadows of the post.

There was almost four across the track in a thrilling finish but Eye Keep Smiling poked her head out to beat Tokyo Rose by a short half head with Wicked Confession a head away third and a further head away was Lux Aeterna in fourth placing.

The first four runners will qualify for next week’s Final.

Luke McCarthy reflected after the event.

She sure did work and she had to do a power of work down the back straight and just even when she was getting around Sugar Pie Honey and it was quite hard on the bit and Ash (Delosa)  had to go for another grip so it sort of created that little bit extra work but to her credit you know she’s so tough you know she just went super.

We’ve always had a lot of luck with Jackie (Gibson) and John and Neary and you know this girl’s has done an amazing job already and you know she has seemed as good as she’s been tonight. Its happiest I’ve been with her this preparation. It gets a lot harder next week with Captains Mistress is there but look I’m happy with how she went and where she’s at.

I’ll stick with Smiley I always sort of do and I love her but look Steno’s win last week was terrific and I think she seems to be right at the top of her game now. She had a couple of good runs even against the boys. She was second in the Free for all the week before so Jack (Callaghan) will drive her and I think you know they’re both obviously going to be good chances.

There certainly will be a big build up to the event. Captains Mistress has taken everything before her this season and she is likely to start a warm favourite as her explosive speed is expected to take her to the lead and she’ll be admirably suited to the mile distance.

But Eye Keep Smiling looks to have struck form at the right time and Luke McCarthy is bound to have her in peak condition for a serious challenge to Captains Mistress and he’ll also have a strong back up with Steno.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink