Anntonia to overcome adversity in feature target

Star Menangle Park mare Anntonia will hit the road trip and head for Wagga tomorrow afternoon to contest a qualifying heat of harness racing’s Ladex Riverina Mares Championship.

Chasing a spot in the $100,000 final on Easter Saturday, Anntonia’s trainer David Thorn has left nothing to chance in having his mare ready to fire.

Despite drawing poorly in gate 12 in the second of the heats, Thorn remains confident Anntonia can overcome any adversity and make her way into the Group 1 feature.

“They are two fantastic heats with plenty of talented mares heading to Wagga,” said Thorn.

“The Wagga Club and Harness Racing New South Wales have done a great job in promoting this series and attracting the quality of four and five-year-olds racing at the moment.”

“No doubt my mare will have to be at her best to qualify.

“I could not have her going any better, but the draw is obviously a concern.”

Anntonia’s main dangers Smooth Rye, Elektra and Chrissy Chic have all drawn back with her on the second line, so the race is likely to see some cat-and-mouse tactics adopted.

“I always knew that Anntonia would draw the second line under the conditions of the race,” said Thorn.

“At this point in time I am in two minds as to how I will suggest driver Jack Trainor should drive her, but it certainly looks like it will be a race of tactics.

“Jack is in great form and knows the mare well, so she is in safe hands no matter what happens.”

The first five in each heat will qualify for the final on Saturday week when the Riverina Paceway will come alive with a plethora of feature races.

Meanwhile, tonight’s Penrith meeting holds plenty of intrigue with eight strong races programmed.

But one filly that will draw plenty of attention is Peaceful, a two-year-old by Sweet Lou from former champion race mare Frith.

Trained by Cameron Ross, Peaceful has had three trials in preparation for her first-up assignment, the latest hit-out on Monday at Penrith resulting in her cruising away from her rivals to score by a conservative 21 metres and rating 1.59.7 for the 1720m trip.

Peaceful is the first foal out of Bruce Harpley’s former star mare Frith, who won 39 races from 63 starts and amassed $1,180,345 in stakes.

To view the fields for the upcoming Australian meetings click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW