Ladies In Red is the Queen Of The Pacific

Champion pacer Ladies In Red (Mach Three) confirmed her status as one of the finest mares of the modern era and became harness racing’s latest millionaire with a stunning win in the Group 1 Queen Of The Pacific at Melton.

NSW visitor Braeview Kelly wrested the lead off Rakero Rebel with 2200 metres to travel and proceeded to set a brutal tempo, carving out the first half of the last mile in 58 seconds.

Meanwhile Ladies In Red lobbed along towards the rear of the field before David Moran pulled out three wide without cover with 800 metres to travel as the leader upped the tempo in a 27.9 back straight quarter.

Despite the magnitude of the task, Ladies In Red trucked up three wide as if she had just joined in and effortlessly bounded to the front around the home turn in a world of her own.

With Moran waving the whip in a victory salute, Ladies In Red ($2.40 fav) cruised to the line 12 metres clear of Rakero Rebel with Amore Vita two metres away third.

QUEEN IN RED! 👑

Ladies In Red does It in emphatic style for driver David Moran and trainer Emma Stewart in the Group 1 Benstud Standardbreds Queen Of The Pacific. pic.twitter.com/iVvOF0Nw0M

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) November 4, 2023

The remarkable mare smashed the previous race record by 1.8 seconds, carving out a mile rate of 1:53.8 for the 2760-metre journey.

Moran admitted it has been a privilege to sit behind the daughter of Mach Three

“It’s quite amazing really to be part of her whole journey, there has been only two or three times when I haven’t driven her throughout her career and I don’t think she has ever finished further back than second, so it’s been an amazing career,” Moran said.

Moran said Ladies In Red had been well managed throughout her career.

“It’s a great team effort by Emma (Stewart) and Clayton (Tonkin) and the owners Bill and Anne Anderson have been extremely loyal to me for which I’m grateful,” he said.

“They have looked after her and given her time when she’s needed it and it’s pretty special to be part of a million-dollar mare.”

Moran said the slick tempo suited the mare.

“When the lead time was what it was and first quarter was pretty quick I just wanted to come with one run, she’s a great hunter from behind and make it a real strong last 1000 metres and make it that the best horse wins and that’s what happened,” he said.

Ladies In Red now boasts the exceptional record of 24 wins and six seconds from 30 career starts for $1.003m in stake earnings.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink