Shezacullengirl wins equine stakes

From a breeding perspective it couldn’t have been a better result for Malcolm, Sarndra and Murray Little.

Their harness racing mare Shezacullengirl overcame a second row draw to win the thirty seventh running of the Equine Stakes sponsored this year again by AON Insurance.

“Murray and Malcolm put a lot into the industry and are really big supporters of our stable. We use Murray’s beach property to train the horses. It’s great to get a good win for good owners like that,” said Kirstin Barclay who co-trains the Christian Cullen mare with Tank Ellis.

In today’s mares feature she started from gate two on the second row.

The early pace from the start was hot so that opened up some gaps and driver Brent Barclay was able to get a nice run through. But when Sadhana went to the lead Shezacullengirl was left parked. However cover arrived when Bridesdale Robyn improved to take the parked spot.

Bridesdale Robyn hit the front early in the run home but Shezacullengirl was coming with a sustained run down the middle of the track and had to be driven hard to beat a late run along the passing lane from outsider Dachy.

“He (Brent Barclay) said she was angry in the prelim but during the race she just drove perfect.”

The winning margin was a head.

Shezacullengirl (10) beating Dachy on the inside. Owners Sarndra (pink top) and Malcolm Little (black with blue stripes) can be seen to the left of the widest runner Bettor Enforce (6) – Photo Bruce Stewart.

“Last start she hung in at the start and the trailing horse smoked her wheel so that came off the rim. She only went 100 metres and had to be pulled up. She did feel really good last week and we were expecting her to go good with a bit of luck.”

It was the five year olds sixth win from twenty seven starts. Today’s time for the mile was 1-55.0.

“Tank and I will have to look at a programme for her. I don’t think she’s eligible for the Southern Belle. A broodmare career is beckoning sooner rather than later I would imagine now that she’s got her mile time.”  

Bruce Stewart