Sweet Ideal in welcome return to form

Above average mare Sweet Ideal (Sweet Lou) who showed so much promise early in her harness racing career returned with a vengeance in a courageous performance to take out the IRT Pace at Melton on Saturday evening.

Drawn against a smart field, Sweet Ideal was caught wide early before taking over from the leader Soap And Bubbles. Favourite Jacks Ultimate Fury was also caught wide as was the well supported Meteor Moth.

Despite having done a great deal of work early in running her first quarter in 27.2 seconds Sweet Ideal was given a little breather by driver Darryl Lawlor. Both Jacks Ultimate Fury and Meteor Moth started to struggle in the back straight and Soap And Bubbles that had enjoyed the perfect trail looked certain to gather in Sweet Ideal.

However Sweet Ideal was not to be denied and showing plenty of fight held off Soap And Bubbles by a neck. Her run was made even more credible when she rated 1.51.9 for the 1720 metres.

SWEET IDEAL 16 MAY REPLAY

A clearly emotional Darryl Lawlor found it hard to express himself as he bought the mare back.

I’m very relieved.

I really think that around Menangle she could go 1.50. She keeps getting a bad barrier with that handicapping system She’s been on a last chance to race truly at times because they’re just not going fast enough for her.

But Jason Lee helped me out during the week and a big shout out to him. I couldn’t be happier. I do pedigree matching and we’ve had the family for 30 years or so and we just go to top stallions and this is the result.

There’s no doubt that Sweet Ideal has untapped ability and could well rise to the top ranks of our leading mares if she maintains the form that she showed last night. She has outstanding speed and when right shows that she can stay.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink