Honolua Bay needs to be on his best behaviour

The Emma Stewart-trained Honolua Bay (Somebeachsomewhere), a $2.15 favorite, will need to be on his most tractable behaviour in harness racing’s Group 1 Len Smith Mile at Menangle on Saturday (Oct. 29).

David Moran, who has partnered the five-year-old at his past two starts but won’t be travelling to Menangle for the drive this weekend, said the pacer had compromised his winning hopes two starts ago when placed behind Rock N Roll Doo in the Kilmore Cup.

“When they backed it off early and started walking at Kilmore, he got revved up and it meant he couldn’t finish off as he normally would,” Moran said.

Moran said Honolua Bay raced more generously when runner-up behind Rock N Roll Doo in the Victoria Cup.

“He settled well in the Victoria Cup because the race was run a genuine tempo,” he said.

Victoria has a two-pronged attack on the Len Smith Mile, with David Aiken-trained Max Delight (Bettors Delight) installed on the third line of betting at $5 despite having to contend with the extreme barrier draw.

He served notice of a pending productive campaign with a slashing first-up second behind Rock N Roll Doo in the Caduceus Club Classic, and continued on that vein of form when runner-up to Mach Dan in last Saturday night’s Geelong Pacing Cup.

“He’s a proven miler and runs his best races over the short course when the speed is on,” Aiken said.

The Stewart stable looks set to play a key role in both Group 1 NSW Breeders Challenge two-year-old colts and geldings’ and fillies’ finals.

The Stewart-prepared Major Celebrity ($2.50 eq fav) was collared in the last 50 metres by Better Be The Best in the colts’ semi-final, however both horses have drawn awkwardly in barriers 11 and 10 respectively this weekend. Other semi-final winner Captains Knock ($2.50 eq fav) comes out of gate three.

Stewart-trained filly Major Delight ($2.50) hasn’t fared favorably in the barrier draw either, slotting behind gate 10 from the mobile while her main danger, the $1.70 favorite Peaceful, has drawn the coveted inside alley.

Major Delight led all the way in her semi-final while defeating Peaceful, who sat parked in a mile rate of 1:50.5. Bookmakers believe a reversal in positions courtesy of the barrier draw is the most likely race pattern scenario on Saturday night.

The Russell Jack-trained filly Treasure Stride, who was beaten into second place ($1.80 fav) in her semi-final, is a pre-post $12 chance from her mid-row draw.

NSW Breeders Challenge finals will also be staged at Group 1 level for the three-year-old boys and girls on Saturday night at Menangle.

For complete race fields, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for HRV