Bay of Biscay takes the Hondo Grattan

Classy harness racing four year old Bay of Biscay (Somebeachsomewhere) returned to winning form when he led all the way to take out the Group 3 $50,000 Cordina Chicken Farms Hondo Grattan stakes at Menangle Park last night.

In doing so, the Emma Stewart trained Bay of Biscay has now automatically qualified for the $250,000 Group 1 Chariots of Fire to be staged at Menangle on 1 March.

Prior to the event driver Cameron Hart had expressed confidence that he would hold the lead and that proved to be the winning tactic.

From the pole Bay of Biscay had sufficient speed to hold out second favourite The BigBoss and from then on Bay of Biscay held the advantage.

The New Zealand bred Major Hot who had won last season’s Queensland Derby took a trail behind the leader. When Bay of Biscay kicked clear on the final bend Major Hot looked some sort of a chance but Bay of Biscay appeared to have something in reserve as he defeated stablemate War Dan Buddy with Major Hot holding on for third placing.

REPLAY 15 FEB BAY OF BISCAY

In addition to the placegetters New Zealander Better Knuckle Up was able to qualify for the Chariots of Fire.

Bay of Biscay has always been amongst the best of his age group as he progressed over the years. He was runner up in both the New South Wales and Queensland Derbies before finishing a gallant second to Don Hugo in the Eureka. He then returned to Melton where he came fourth in the Victoria Derby.

Thus no one would begrudge him if he was able to take out a Group 1 feature such as the forthcoming Chariots of Fire.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink