All sweet for Sugar Pie Honey

Promising junior driver Ashleigh Delosa broke through for her first Group 1 harness racing success when she guided Sugar Pie Honey (Sweet Lou) to lead all the way in the $150,000 New South Wales Breeders Challenge Final for two year old fillies at Menangle Park.

As usual there was a fast battle for the lead early with Our Special Memory taking a clear lead but then electing to take the sit behind Sugar Pie Honey. Favourite Gunna Reload who had been unbeaten in her previous five starts was able to angle for a one out and one back sit when Namuka made a lightning burst around the field.

However Sugar Pie Honey dashed clear on the final bend and it was left to Gunna Reload to do the chasing.But Sugar Pie Honey showed plenty of heart and she skipped clear to defeat Gunna Reload by six metres with Our Special Memory finishing well for third.

Delosa was naturally delighted. “It’s still not real. It’s very exciting. She has little tricks. But she’s very fast”.

Trainer Rickie Alchin paid tribute to Delosa. “As an industry if you don’t get opportunities you don’t get to make it. I offered her (Delosa) some good opportunities. I drove Sugar Pie Honey in her Semi Final when Ash decided to go and drive Major Delight in Melbourne. But then I decided to give her the opportunity. The filly is like a thoroughbred. She’s highly strung. I’ve always liked her. Every time she’s stepped up she did it with ease”.

There were no excuses for the beaten brigade.

SUGAR PIE HONEY REPLAY

It turned out to be a unforgettable night for Delosa who had won the opening race with Craftsmans Charlie. She then teamed up with Rickie Alchin to take out another Group 1 with Golly Gee Fellas (Always B Miki) who led all the way to take out the $150,000 New South Wales Breeders Challenge Final for three year old fillies.

Again Delosa showed great initiative to tackle for the lead and once in front she kept on running to defeat Elusive and Soap Opera. She is destined to win many more feature races on the strength of her driving skills that were on open display last night.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink