Sparkling Sea just holds on in Golden Easter Egg

Short priced Sparkling Sea (Lather Up) gave her harness racing supporters plenty of anxious moments before falling in to take out a gripping Group 3 Colin Watts Easter Egg Stakes at Menangle on Saturday night.

Punters were prepared to forgive Sparkling Sea after her disappointing sixth in the Gold Bracelet at Bathurst two weeks ago.

Trainer driver David Hewitt could give no explanation as to the Bathurst performance but obviously there was nothing amiss as she was turned out in fine style at Menangle.

SPARKLING SEA 11 APR REPLAY

In an action packed event Fake Friends galloped wildly when the mobile was dispatched effectively losing all chance.

Robert Morris on Perfect Delight sped to the front but then elected to give away the lead to Sparkling Sea and they ran their first quarter in a slick 27.4 seconds. Hewitt kept the pace going and Sparkling Sea looked to have her rivals off the bit. But Morris pulled out on Perfect Delight who had the sit behind the leader for one final crack.

Sparkling Sea started to shorten stride down the long home straight and Perfect Delight made one final lunge but the post was too close and Sparkling Sea prevailed by a short half head over Perfect Delight with Beachbabe Crocker half a head away in third.

Through virtue of her win Sparkling Sea has now obtained automatic entry into the $200,000 Group 1 John Gibson Memorial New South Wales Oaks to be held at Menangle on 2 May.

In that time Hewitt is sure to work on Sparkling Sea as she will be facing some stiff challenges for the Oaks including the outstanding filly Ark Sea and the speedy Queensland filly Havtimetodream.

Both Perfect Delight and Beachbabe Crocker were worthy performances and they now seem likely to line up in the Oaks heats.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink