20 August, 2003
The most successful training combination in
Australasian Breeders Crown history has thrown its hat into the ring as a
contender for the 2003 two-year-old fillies? title.
Together Jayne Davies and Noel Alexander have won
three Breeders Crown Finals.
The juvenile fillies? division has been a
particularly happy hunting ground, delivering triumphs in 1998 with Lombo
Adreamin and 2002 courtesy of star baby Lombo La Fe Fe (pictured, Davies
with winning driver Chris Alford).
This year, Cranbourne?s dynamic duo will be
represented in Sunday?s $173,800 final at Bendigo by tough-as-nails youngster
Nemeeshar who caused a minor upset when she defeated dominant series favorite
Self Denial in last night?s semi-final.
She finished powerfully to score by a short half head
in a blistering 1:58.3 mile rate, a time which was the fastest of the eight
semi-finals contested and just half a second outside the class record for the
1965-metre sprint trip.
Self Denial, who started $1.50 favorite, was
principally responsible for the break-neck speed after setting a frantic pace
in the lead.
?She went terrific, but I?m worried that she?s had a
very hard run,? Alexander said.
?It might not leave much petrol in the tank for
Sunday.
?We certainly won?t be doing much with her between
now and the final, and just hope we can freshen her up,? he said.
In contrast, New Zealand horseman Todd Mitchell
believes a fast work run on Friday will sharpen talented visitor Elle Mary Rose
who was beaten into second placing in her semi-final as an odds-on favorite.
Mitchell said he was not disappointed by the daughter
of Village Jasper?s effort when run down by Operative Lopez along the sprint
lane after leading.
?She blew up over the back after the race, so I think
I?ve been a little bit soft on her since she arrived.
?It?s the first time I?ve really traveled with a
horse, but with tonight?s hit-out and the benefit of another hopple run I think
she?ll be better for the final,? he said.
Mitchell added that he believes Elle Mary Rose is
better when following the speed, rather than setting the pace, and will
therefore be suited by her barrier eight draw on Sunday afternoon.
Young New South Wales trainer-driver Bernie Hewitt
was not surprised by Operative Lopez?s success, explaining that an inside back
row draw had been perfect.
?When I knew we?d be trailing the favorite, I thought
we had a good chance,? Hewitt said.
?She?s an under-rated filly, she?s been racing very
well against the best of her age group,? he said, adding that popular
Shepparton horseman Geoff Martin had played a significant caretaker training
role in recent weeks.
?In fact, she?s had a great season. She was very
erratic early, but she?s really developed as the year has progressed.?
Hewitt, who has won the training and driving
premierships at his home track of Bathurst for the past two seasons, said while
Operative Lopez performed well under sit and sprint conditions, she can also do
some work in her races and possesses good gate speed.
She will be able to utilise that early toe to take up
a forward position after drawing barrier two in the final.
The news was not quite so good for the connections of
Nemeeshar and Bendigo?s pin-up girl Self Denial who drew barriers 11 and seven
respectively.
Ironically, it?s the same alleys the leading duo
filled when placed in last month?s Group 1 Vicbred Super Series Final at Moonee
Valley.
The other runner set to play a key role in the Lords
Raceway showdown is the Andy Gath-trained Yada Yada Yada, who finally stemmed
her horror run of second line draws plucking barrier five in the final.
A brave fourth behind Nemeeshar last night, the
gallant filly is expected to improve with the run after overcoming a minor
recent setback.
The $173,800 Australasian Breeders Crown 2YO Fillies
Final will be run at 2.30pm (AET).
