Lux Aeterna back with a vengeance at Menangle

Former outstanding juvenile filly Lux Aeterna (Captaintreacherous) gave a copybook display of front running with a brilliant harness racing win in the Stylish Memphis Stakes for mares at Menangle Park on Saturday night.

Fresh from her close second to Eye Keep Smiling in last week’s Group 1 Golden Girl at Albion Park Lux Aeterna was expected to atone at Menangle even with a wide draw and she was confidently backed late in betting to start a clear favourite.

LUX AETERNA 25 JULY REPLAY

From the outside of the front row, Lux Aeterna gradually worked up enough early speed alongside the much improved Isla Rochelle. Driver Rickie Alchin pressed on and eventually Lux Aeterna found the lead and ran her first quarter in 26.8 seconds. The well supported Can Be A Ruebe had no luck in running caught outside the leader.

Lux Aeterna was cruising in the lead with Isla Rochelle stalking and seemingly the only danger to the leader.

But when Alchin let her go, Lux Aeterna put a space between herself and her rivals.

Alchin has done a wonderful job with Lux Aeterna as the mare has suffered a number of racing setbacks and only in May 2025 she was diagnosed with atrial Fibrillation which was her second occasion with the condition. But then just six weeks later she returned to Menangle where she ran 1.50.

And Alchin was fulsome in his praise of Lux Aeterna.

She’s had a bit of hard racing in Queensland. And travelled home this week and turned up again tonight.

If every horse was like her, it would make my job a lot easier. Couldn’t be prouder of her, really. Her constitution, she does not miss a grain. She never looks tired at home, that’s why I decided to race her again tonight because its not each week you miss the good ones although she’s good herself. It looked as if it could be an easy race on paper so we took it.

We’d said all year that we’d pull the pin on her this year. She’s got an embryo due in about 8 weeks. In about eight weeks in very early September she’s got a little Bettors Delight due which is exciting. She’s fit, she’s healthy and she’s racing well. I’ll leave it up to the La Spina’s (owners). But she doesn’t need to prove anymore to us. I also want to thank Ricky Hunt, he’s been up with her in Queensland, I only went up on Thursday and look as if I take the credit. He does all the work with her. It certainly is a team effort.

Raced by her breeder Alf La Spina, Lux Aeterna is now inching towards the three quarters of a million dollars in earnings having amassed $737,340. It was her 21^st win with ten placings from 52 placings to date.

The dam of Lux Aeterna has proved to be a wonderful broodmare for Alf La Spina. She has left the prolific winners in Crunch Time and Captain Crusader who both won over half a million dollars in stake money. Similarly she is the dam of four time winner Our Redemption, the three year old San Sebastian and promising two year old Disturbance.

 

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink