Chynchilla holds on to win Clash of the mares

Prolific winning mare Chynchilla (Sunshine Beach) held out in a desperate finish to take out the Garrards Horse and Hounds Mares Pace at Albion Park on Saturday evening.

There was a great deal of speculation prior to the event with the clash of the four best mares currently racing in Queensland. In addition to Chynchilla, there was TheSunAndTheMoon, the Vicar of Dibley and Rylee Rhayne Bow. The latter was drawn on the second line with the others all on the front row.

CHYNCHILLA JUN 7 REPLAY

And before the event all four drivers put their case as to why their mare was the best currently racing in the Sunshine State which added to the expectation of the event. Nathan Dawson said he would be driving Chynchilla for speed and he did exactly that.

And the race was settled at the start when Nathan Dawson on Chynchilla out from barrier four had too much speed for TheSunAndTheMoon who was drawn on her inside and The Vicar of Dibley who settled behind the leader.

Meanwhile Rylee Rayne Bow settled three back on the rails. After a blistering first quarter of 26.3 seconds, Dawson was able to get a breather in the second quarter of 30.4 seconds and then let Chynchilla go again in the final quarter.

TheSunAndTheMoon was the first beaten on leaving the back straight and Angus Garrard on The Vicar of Dibley moved off the fence to set after Chychilla. Rylee Rayne Bow was trying to get up along the side. However in the last 50 metres or so Chynchilla seemed to shorten stride and at the finish she had a neck to spare over The Vicar Of Dibley with Rylee Rayne Bow finishing fast for third.

Nonetheless with a mile rate of 1.52.6 it was a most impressive effort by Chynchilla.

Whilst Nathan Dawson can now claim that Chynchilla is the best mare in Queensland the close margins mean that both The Vicar of Dibley and Rylee Rhayne Bow could well turn the tables on their next clash and much will depend on the barrier draw.

The win took her earnings to past $200,000.

Trainer Donny Smith will try to find suitable races between now and Second week of Carnival.

Her main goals are the Fleur De Lil July 12 – Open mares at the mile which she would be suited by the short distance  and then the $150,000 Group 1 Golden Girl on July 19.

Chynchilla had been working super and trainer Donny Smith was extremely confident leading into the event.

So at this stage all four mares will be worthy local representatives for the Group 1 $150,000 Golden Girl at Albion Park on 19 July where they will most likely clash with outstanding New South Wales mare Eye Keep Smiling and Steno who will provide stiff interstate competition.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink