Aardie B Miki shows class winning Victoria Oaks heat

Talented Queensland harness racing filly Aardie B Miki (Always B Miki) showed her class in an all the way win in the first heat of the Prydes Easifood Victoria Oaks.

Confidently backed into a short priced favourite Aardie B Miki was steered straight to the front by driver Pete McMullan and she was then well rated in the lead. Draw A Dream who was caught racing outside the leader seemed to over race and appeared to put some pressure on the favourite with Eureka Jo having the trail behind the leader. 

Aardie B Miki skipped clear on straightening but Eureka Jo made a determined effort to gather the leader in. However Aardie B Miki was doing enough and one had the impression that she still had a bit left over her opposition. Eureka Jo held on for second placing with stablemate Kiss an eye catching run to get third place.

Queensland raider Aardie B Miki has taken out the first heat of the Pryde's Easifeed Victoria Oaks for pairing driver-Pete McMullen and Chantal Turpin. pic.twitter.com/wBxEVdernc

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) October 5, 2024

Prepared by leading Queensland trainer Chantal Turpin Aardie B Miki had won both the Queensland South East Oaks and the Queensland Oaks in July so she clearly had the best form for the race. 

McMullen said “I was happy with her run. She did what she had to do. I chose to lead. She will improve throughout the week and be better for the Final.”

The second heat went the way of New Zealand filly Coastal Babe (DownByTheSeaside) who displayed too much speed for her rivals when leading all the way. 

Capably driven by James Herbertson Coastal Babe had no trouble finding the lead from the hot favourite Show Some Joy who had won her last 7 starts. 

Mark Pitt on Show Some Joy elected to take the trail and looked a danger on turning for home but Coastal Babe had too much whizz and she sped clear to score comfortably by 7 metres from Show Some Joy with Stitched Up Dan a battling third.

The New Zealand-trained Coastal Babe found her way to the top and stayed there to take out the Pryde's Easifeed Victoria Oaks for James Herbertson and Steven Reid. pic.twitter.com/KiFuJiVkRW

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) October 5, 2024

Coastal Babe reeled off her last quarter in a sizzling 26.1 compared to Aardie B Miki who still ran a slick 26.7 so the two fillies are set for an intriguing battle in next week’s final. 

Driver James Herbertson summed it up. “I really didn’t know much about her. You can never be sure with Kiwi horses. She felt nice over the last 300 metres but at the end of the day it was a 200 metres dash. She showed a glimpse of what she can do”.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink