Dream run continues into the Breeders Challenge Final

Sarurday night’s racing at Tabcorp Park Menangle added a little more spice to the mystique of the New South Wakes Breeders Challenge with first class performances from several runners in this year’s harness racing series.

None were more impressive than the David Torn-trained mare Ideal In Dreams (Warrawee Needy), who flooded home from near the tail of the field to wear down Victorian visitor Captains Queen and score by a head margin.

Raced by Brendan Micallef’s syndication group, the four-year-old mare is aiming to go one better, having finished second last year in the three-year-old division of the series.

“She is really going well for us and her win on Saturday night was super once again,” said Thorn.

“Her biggest asset is her speed – and ability to maintain it down the long Menangle straight, something she has proven in both of her recent wins.

“Her form in the Breeders Challenge series has been impressive throughout her three seasons of racing, including a close second in last year’s final.

“Hopefully she can go one better this year.

“Still, there are some nice mares in this series, and she will have to be at her best if she is to win the final.

“There will be a lot of speed in it which will suit her racing style.

“So, if she can draw well, I am confident that she is a serious live chance.”

IDEAL IN DREAMS REPLAY

Driven the perfect race by Jack Trainor, it was only Ideal In Dreams’ third start for Thorn, who is pleased with what she has done for him since joining his stable just a few months ago.

In the other qualifier for the mares, the Wagga-trained My Sweet Sabrina produced a powerful display to lead throughout and post a 1:52.7  mile rate, scoring comfortably by more than two metres.

That gave promising young Canberra driver Taylah Osmond one of her biggest wins to date in a career that is beginning to blossom.

It was My Sweet Sabrina’s third win at Menangle and she put the writing on the wall on her home track on September 29 when she posted a slick 1:51.3 when winning.

Sydney filly Lux Aeterna maintained her unbeaten record when scoring her eighth win for trainer-driver Rickie Alchin in her semi-final of the two-year-olds’ division.

Victorian filly Renewal was equally impressive in the other fillies’ semi-final, setting the scene for an exciting contest at the big Club Menangle Sunday afternoon meeting on October 29.

For complete race results, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW