Eye Keep Smiling in narrow but courageous win

Australia’s top mare Eye Keep Smiling (Sweet Lou) won her ninth race in succession when she showed great courage to hold out her rivals in the Leading Edge Security Fleur De Lil Ladyship Classic at Albion Park on Saturday evening.

Having what was probably her stiffest test in mares company, Eye Keep Smiling was three wide early before moving up to her trademark position of sitting outside the leader who happened to be the star Queensland mare Chynchilla.

EYE KEEP SMILING JUL 12 REPLAY

Steno who had been placed in her last six starts was given every chance by her driver Jocelyn Young who drove up from the second row to obtain the one out and one back trail.

However Luke McCarthy didn’t seem too concerned with Eye Keep Smiling having to race outside the leader.

It was a fascinating spectacle as Eye Keep Smiling gradually edged clear of Chynchilla who had set a cracking pace in front. But Steno was poised right behind and she issued her run halfway down the straight.

In a driving finish Steno made a late dive but she failed by a head to catch Eye Keep Smiling with Chynchilla hanging on for third. Eye Keep Smiling rated 1.51.2 so her run was full of merit.

And Luke McCarthy once again was full of praise for the mare.

“She was super. She nearly got put out early and copped a bad check. And to pick herself up she went awesome. She’s so versatile, she’s good off cover but in the mares races she’s so strong and she went super again”.

“She doesn’t have to improve much more for next week for a good clean race and she’ll be hard to beat again”.

Eye Keep Smiling will be looking to take out next week’s Group 1 $150,000 Golden Girl which she won last year. She is likely to meet the same field as last night and is sure to start a hot favourite to take out the coveted classic.

Steno is sure to give another good account of herself and if she was able to lead would give Eye Keep Smiling a run for her money.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink