Ladies In Red - Rising Sun Win Photo by Dan Costello
YOU can lock in another stirring rematch at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Fresh from Leap To Fame taking a 2-1 advantage over arch-rival Swayzee, mighty mares Ladies In Red and Aardies Express will clash for the second time in the $150,000 Group 1 Golden Girl (2138m).
Trainer Emma Stewart confirmed her champion Ladies In Red would be on a flight to Queensland on Tuesday night.
Ladies In Red capped her preparation when she just did enough to hold off a gallant stablemate, Mach Dan, to win the Koala King free-for-all at Melton last night (Saturday).
They posted a slick 1min52.5sec mile rate for 1720m and ripped home in 54.5 and 26.9sec.
It was the six-year-old’s third win from as many starts since Ladies In Red was rundown by Aardies Express when they clashed for the first time in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II at Menangle on May 4.
Aardies Express also won her final tune-up when she worked hard to lead and just held off Manhattan to win the Group 3 Fleur De Lil at Albion Park last night.
The race has been billed as a “match in two” for several weeks, but the emergence of Manhattan and even Aardies Express’ stablemate Tay Tay – who ran big races for second and third in the Fleur De Lil – have added more depth and intrigue.
Latest markets have Aardies Express favourite at $2.10 from Ladies In Red ($2.50), Tay Tay ($4) and then $10 for Manhattan and Eye Keep Smiling.
Joining Ladies In Red on Tuesday night’s flight to Queensland will be talented Victorian two-year-old Hesitate, who is aiming at the inaugural $500,000 Protostar at Albion Park on Saturday week.
“If Ladies In Red is going up, then we’ll be on the flight with her,” trainer Damien Burns said.
“I’ll trial him again at Melton tomorrow (Monday), and then he can fly up the next day with a view to running him in the lead-up race (Paleface Adios) on Saturday night.”
Burns will drive Hesitate himself in the Paleface Adios with Kate Gath booked for the Protostar.
A bigger team of Stewart’s stars is booked on a flight to Queensland on Tuesday week.
They include unbeaten three-year-old filly Very Pretty (Queensland Oaks), last night’s Melton winner Bay Of Biscay (Queensland Derby), along with The Highlight Reel and Cigano for the Protostar.
