Pandaia qualifies for the Queen Elizabeth Mile with last gasp win

Speedy mare Pandaia (Downbytheseaside) scored her most important success to date when she snatched victory in the last stride to win the Group 3 Sibelia Stakes for mares at Menangle Park on Saturday night.

The race brought together a quality group of mares headed by the brilliant West Australian Steno who due to her pole draw started warm favourite. Her driver Jocelyn Young was able to hold out the lead from Tay Tay.

Pandaia showed speed early but her driver Ashleigh Delosa was able to ease back to fourth position. Victorian mare Sweetnikilou was left doing the work outside the leader but Steno was setting a brisk pace in the lead.

Steno appeared to be holding off Tay Tay who was looking a threat but she could not stave off Pandaia’s finishing burst who won by a neck with Tay Tay third just ahead of Sweetnikilou. Mainly due to the blistering speed set by Steno the mile rate was 1.50.5

PANDAIA APR 26 REPLAY SIBELIA STAKES

Delosa has had a remarkable run of success since starting several years ago and now she has 159 wins to her credit including two Group 1 successes. A hard worker she has earned the respect of trainer Rickie Allchin who has entrusted her with the driving of Pandaia.

In winning Pandaia will automatically gain a start in the $200,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Mile at Menangle Park.

Steno who was having her first start for over five weeks will no doubt be better for the run and she still emerges as a leading contender for the Queen Elizabeth.

The other eye catching run was the brave effort of Sweetnikilou who had do a power of work racing outside the leader and yet she only finished four metres behind the winner.

The mares will have another opportunity to qualify for the Queen Elizabeth when Club Menangle will stage the Robin Dundee stakes next Saturday evening.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink