Eye Keep Smiling breaks 1.50

Australia’s premier race mare Eye Keep Smiling (Sweet Lou) gave yet another iron performance when she was forced to race outside the leader and still outstay her harness racing rivals in the Success Stud Pace at Menangle on Saturday evening.

Having won her last ten appearances and resuming from her heroic win in the Golden Girl at Albion Park in July, Eye Keep Smiling was drawn the outside of the front row.

Driver Luke McCarthy was in no rush early and for a while he was three wide. Nyack showed brilliant early speed to head off Ripp who settled behind the leader Ardens Ace in the one out and one back trail and Classic Mission one out and two back.

Eye Keep Smiling took over as the field straightened but then the vastly improved Classic Mission and Ardens Ace came out of the pack and momentarily looked as if they may threaten Eye Keep Smiling.

EYE KEEP SMILING AUG 30 REPLAY

But the gallant mare showing her customary grit kept giving and at the finish she had two metres to spare over Classic Mission who ran a terrific race for runner up in front of Ripp who held on for third. She ran 1.49.9 for the mile a truly remarkable performance.

It was fitting that Eye Keep Smiling could win the race named after Success Stud and her owner proprietor Jackie Gibson.

Luke McCarthy was profuse in his praise of Eye Keep Smiling.

“She’s such a good mare. She was first up after Brisbane and to come out and do that on a colder night just shows what a star mar she is”.

“She’s really good. She can have a bit of attitude at times but all in all she’s an absolute pleasure to train and drive. She’s got such a big motor, so versatile and probably the best mare I’ve had anything to do with. She went super”.

McCarthy indicated that Eye Keep Smiling will line up in next Saturday’s Group 1 Len Smith Mile which may well prove to be her biggest test to date.

He also stated recently that a trip down to Victoria for some of the main Summer classics could well be on the cards as well.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink