Brilliant filly Ark Sea (Stay Hungry) clinched her Breeders Challenge Final titles in a fortnight when she put in an effortless performance in the two-year-old fillies semi-final at Menangle on Saturday evening.
A short-priced favorite in a quality field that included previously unbeaten Eye Wish and quality filly One More Reason Ark Seas showed great speed to take over Eye Wish’s run with Perfect Delight behind the leader.
ARK SEA OCTOBER 11 REPEAT
Driver Will Rixon on Ark Sea kept a brisk pace and in his final two quarters in 27.6 and 27.8 seconds she simply had too much pace for her rivals. Perfect Delight fought well, but was no match for Ark Royal, who walked home from just over twelve meters from Perfect Delight while Yirradiva continued for third place.
With just one defeat in this year’s Protostar at Albion Park, Ark Sea have been formidable in their wins this season. She is trained by Sam Hewitt in Goulburn.
Will Rixon was full of praise for Ark Sea.
“I absolutely love her for what she’s done so far. She’s been so impressive. She felt good tonight. She had the earbuds in tonight. It was her first time leading Menangle tonight. She took a look around. So it will do her a lot of good.”
“There are some really nice horses around colts and fillies. She’s there and it’s going to be a great final. What she’s done so far is impressive. Not many fillies would go to Brisbane against the best stallions and compete like she could. I’m really looking forward to the final.”
However, she will have a worthy opponent in the Finals as Sparkling Sea (Lather Up) was just as impressive in winning the Second Heat.
Sparkling Sea was pitted against previously undefeated Degarmea Teale, who was sent off as favourites. From barrier 3, Cameron Hart guided Degarmea Teale forward. Sparkling Sea’s Brad Hewitt allowed his filly to steady herself before she could race alongside the leader.
The smart filly Where’s My Reason followed the trail behind the leader. On the back straight, however, Sparkling Sea started to put pressure on Degarmea Teale, who didn’t seem completely focused on her work. Showing her class Sparkling Sea was clear. Degarmea Teale then came out to try and mount another challenge, but Sparkling Sea had enough reserve to score over six meters from Degarmea Teale with Where’s My Reason in a distant third.
SPARKLING SEA OCTOBER 11 REPEAT
Sparkling Sea ran 1.51 in eliminating her heat and was slower than Ark Sea last night in running 1.51.5
It is clear that the barrier draw will be crucial for the $150,000 Final and it should be a great clash between these two worthy fillies.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
#Ark #Sea #Sparkling #Sea #score #thrilling #victories #semifinals #Breeders #Challenge