Queen Elida rules Inter Dominion heat

Tough mare Queen Elida (Love You) finally returned to the harness racing winners circle when she led all the way to take out the Second heat of the Trotters Inter Dominion at Newcastle last night. 

The star mare had not won since scoring at Bendigo last March but she had shown glimpses of form with some close placings at Melton recently. On the strength of her return to form she was supported into favourite. Driver Chris Alford allowed the free moving mare to take the lead and hold out the speedy Mufasa Metro who had to race outside the leader. 

The much improved trotter Parisian Artiste who last start had won the Swan Hill Trotters Cup had the one out and one back trail pulled out on the final bend but by that stage Queen Elida had shot away with a winning break. Queen Elida was getting a little tired on the line but she held off a game Parisian Artiste with Royal Dan a fair way back in third. 

However Royal Dan was desperately unlucky as driver Jack Callaghan was able to secure an inside run early in the race to be three back on the rails. However at the crucial end of the race he was badly held up and it wasn’t until the race was virtually over that he was doing his best work at the finish. 

QUEEN ELIDA REPLAY

Driver Chris Alford was pleased following the race.

“She was really good. She got a bit keen in front because I was just trying to give her an easier run as possible but she wanted to get on with it. She got a bit stirred up. She was getting a little tired just near the line she had them all covered which was great. Not having had a run for a few weeks usually after she has a run or two she comes right down. So at Bathurst and the last hear she’ll be back to her normal self.”

Queenslander Gus blotted his copybook when he galloped in the home straight and he along with Harry Stamper in the previous heat will be required to trial satisfactorily before being allowed to compete in the second round of heats at Bathurst.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink