Mission accomplished for Andover Hall mare

It was a case of mission accomplished for Resolve (Andover Hall) at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night (Jan. 26).

The five-year-old harness racing mare was sent north with the Gr.3 Waikato Trotting Breeders’ Stakes (2700m) in-mind and she rewarded her connections with victory in the Cambridge feature.

Resolve’s task was aided when race favourite Double Delight broke near the start, losing all chance in the race.

Resolve didn’t have all favours at the start either, with driver Matthew White having to navigate his way around a galloping Kimkar Dash.

Resolve settled at the rear of the pack before she was sent forward with a lap to go to sit outside leader Sacred Mountain.

The daughter of Andover Hall hit the lead turning for home and was able to hold off a fast-finishing Mums Jewel to win by three-quarters of a length.

RESOLVE REPLAY

Trainer John Dickie was pleased with the win and is now looking forward to heading to Alexandra Park in a couple of weeks to contest the Gr.3 Northern Trotting Breeders’ Stakes (2700m) with his recent stable addition.

“She did a bit of work in the run,” Dickie said. “She was entitled to get a bit tired off the 40m to go around and sit parked, but she did it nicely in the end.

“I thought Tony’s (Herlihy) horse (Double Delight) was going to be the hardest to beat, but she didn’t get any luck tonight.”

Resolve is garnering an impressive CV and Dickie said the daughter of Group One winner Habibti will be an asset in the broodmare paddock for her owners.

“It is a lovely breed and they breed to race, and breed to the best. She will breed a nice foal in the future,” he said.

For complete race results, click here.

by Joshua Smith, for Harness News Desk