On Fridaynight South Australian BOTRA held their preludes of the Golden Nursery the colts & geldings division was won by the yet to be beaten 2YO gelding by Safari, Emain Macha, driven by Jock Dunlop for Greg Scholefield. Emain Macha had to run the first quarter in a blistering 28.6. This was 3 seconds faster than five of the six other races on the program and 2.2 seconds faster than Rock N Roll Magic went in the 3YO fillies prelude.
Stars Of Courage attacked Emain Macha ferociously early doors. He also pulled his head off in the score up, he was out of position at the start, he came wide around runners to find the death seat, he over-raced and he shifted ground in the run. It was no surprise to see Stars Of Courage tire and finish with the cab catchers.
Stars Of Courage is undoubtedly a talented youngster. This run was completely out of character. He did everything wrong and then some. Perhaps the occasion got to him – who knows.
But, I reckon it would be wise to forgive the run, he’ll acquit himself much better in upcoming races with a better draw and better luck in running.
Conversely, Emain Macha has had five starts for five wins. Four of his five wins have been on different tracks.
Emma Stewart appears to have a mortage on the Alabar Fillies Fianl after her outstanding 2YO filly, Our Celebrity (driven by Mark Billinger) took out the Fillies prelude..
Our Celebrity is by the super sire, Mach Three. She is closely related to Rock N Roll Magic on the maternal side.
Our Celebrity is out of Celebrity Ball – by Presidential Ball.
Rock N Roll Magic’s dam (All The Magic) is out of Celebrity Ball.
Both fillies led and won extremely comfortably.
Our Celebrity had 10m to spare over the very promising Ray Holberton trained Ellen Louise. Ellen Louise was only having her third start and did an excellent job to finish second, 13m in front of the third horse Arm A Princess.
Both Ellen Louise and Arm A Princess look to be the only horses capable of making a race of it with Our Celebrity (if anything goes awry) in the rich final.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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