Eye Keep Smiling keeps breaking records

Australia’s top mare Eye Keep Smiling (Sweet Lou) showed again resolute courage in her most memorable win to date in the $150,000 Group 1 2025 Garrards Golden Girl at Albion Park on Saturday evening.

Defending her title from last year Eye Keep Smiling was expected to lead early but could not sustain a withering early burst from Steno who charged to the lead from barrier three. Tay Tay secured the trail behind the leader as driver Luke McCarthy eased Eye Keep Smiling from the fence to race outside the leader.

McCarthy realised it would be probably pointless to take on Steno so he was content to do the hard work.

Steno was sent along by driver Jocelyn Young and for many present on course it seemed that she would have her measure over Eye Keep Smiling on this occasion.

EYE KEEP SMILING JUL19 REPLAY

But Eye Keep Smiling showing unbelievable determination dug in and she fought it out at the finish to win by just under two metres from Tay Tay with Steno in third. Even more credible was Eye Keep Smiling’s mile rate of 1.49.8 which included a brilliant second of 26.8 seconds and a last quarter of 27.7 seconds.

McCarthy makes no secret that Eye Keep Smiling who has now won her last ten races on end is the best mare he has ever trained. The mare is owned by Jackie Gibson of Success Stud fame and she was delighted after the event.

“We are so proud of the filly” she commented. “We just look forward to her next race. She was a beautiful foal and she is very special horse”.

Eye Keep Smiling has a weanling by Bettors Delight from an embryo transfer and Gibson indicated that he will be offered for sale at the Sydney sales next March.

McCarthy has been astute in keeping Eye Keep Smiling competitive in mares races. She is likely to have a short spell but at this stage McCarthy is considering the Summer carnival of country cups to be staged at various Victorian country tracks.

While Eye Keep Smiling will keep going for the time being, third placed Steno is likely to be retired shortly and owner Dianne Kelly indicated that she will go to Bettors Delight.