Lux Aeterna wins yet another mares classic

Bonny mare Lux Aeterna (Captaintreacherous) gave yet another classic harness racing display with a strong finish to take out the feature listed Ranji Bill stakes for mares at Menangle on Saturday night.

The six year old has a wonderful record and was suited to the small field. However it was felt that Eye Keep Smiling with a more favourable draw.

But whatever advantage that draw had was quickly lost when firstly Lux Aeterna and then Bella Danza swept to the front. Bella Danza went a scorching first quarter of 26.2 seconds before driver Jason Grimson tried to settle the field down. Lux Aeterna was able to take the trail right behind the leader while Eye Keep Smiling was three back on the rails.

LUX AETERNA 5 SEP REPLAY

Bella Danza upped the tempo with a third quarter of 27.5 seconds but it was at this point that Eye Keep Smiling looked to be struggling. Meanwhile Rickie Alchin on Lux Aeterna eased off the fence at the top of the straight.

Bella Danza looked to be full of running but Lux Aeterna settled down to her task and she wore down Bella Danza to draw away to a four metre win.

Improving mare Alfnalma finished strongly just ahead of Eye Keep Smiling who couldn’t make up much ground. Two starts back Eye Keep Smiling had held off Lux Aeterna in the Group 1 Golden Girl at Albion Park but last night she never looked comfortable chasing the leaders.

Thanks to the fast pace set by Bella Danza, Lux Aeterna ran the mile in 1.49.8 which just beat her previous best of 1.49.9. The mare who is raced by the Alf La Spina Family Trust is trained by Rickie Alchin and she has a formidable record of 24 wins from 57 starts and just under $775,000 in stake money. There isn’t much left for her to prove on the track and there’s no doubt that she will be one of the nation’s most valuable broodmares when eventually retired to stud.

Bella Danza lost no admirers in running a gallant second.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink