PASSIONS DELIGHT
SOME exceptionally-bred fillies lived up to their bloodlines at Melton last night.
Related to, or from, numerous top performers, the youngsters enhanced their own legacies by capturing Ladbrokes Australian Pacing Gold heats.
One such campaigner is Molly Kelly, which is unbeaten from two starts thanks to her narrow victory from Major Gait and Saucy Dreams when driven by Chris Alford in the third qualifier.
By top stallion Four Starzzz Shark, the two-year-old is from Jackie Kelly, which was a talented filly only to have her career cut short by injury.
Jackie Kelly won three of her four starts before being sent to the breeding barn, where she has produced Frith.
Needing no introduction as one of the best mares in recent times, Frith was retired due to injury last month.
Jackie Kelly’s siblings include Group One winners Albert Kelly, Mcraes Mate and Greg Kelly, which won the 2007 Australian Pacing Gold Final.
As Molly Kelly, the Emma Stewart-trained pacer rated 1:58.3 for the 1720 metres, with her time a second-and-a-half quicker than her stablemate, Nostra Beach, in her heat.
Also partnered by Alford, Nostra Beach worked to the lead from barrier six, before scoring with ease from Miss Victoria and Dixirosalie.
By Somebeachsomewhere, Nostra Beach is from Amarillen, the dam of last weekend’s Victoria Oaks winner Miss Graceland.
Boasting a perfect record from eight starters, Amarillen is also the dam of Group One winner Villagem.
Nostra Beach is also unbeaten from two starts for owner Mervat Caruana.
Just as the Stewart pair did, Nicole Molander’s stablemates Passions Delight and Saphirique proved too slick in their divisions.
With Gavin Lang holding the reins, Passions Delight led throughout to account for Im Monica and Pistol Abbey in 1:56.
By Bettors Delight, the youngster is from Passions Promise, which secured the 2010 Australasian Breeders’ Crown.
Taking her record to three wins and two placings from five starts, Passions Delight’s time was two-tenths of a second quicker than Saphirique.
Also driven by Lang, Saphirique finished along the sprint lane to beat War Dan Bad Girl and Our Chateau Lafite.
The daughter of Bettors Delight and Sapphire Lil has two wins from three starts, while finishing second in the other.
