Eye Keep Smiling too sharp at Wagga

In the Nutrien Equine Mares Prelude at Wagga on Tuesday night, as expected the classy mare Eye Keep Smiling (Sweet Lou) had little more than a workout when she scored an easy win.

A prohibitive odds on favourite Eye Keep Smiling was allowed to settle down by Luke McCarthy before he zipped around the field to take up the running from Scheming who took the trail.

The mare was beautifully rated in the lead and there was never any doubt that she would win in running her last quarter in 27 seconds eventually running a mile rate of 1.56.7 for the 2240 metre journey.

Ever Art who was caught outside the leader for most of the trip and inclined to over race showed great heart to hold on for second less than three metres from the winner.

EYE KEEP SMILING APR 15 REPLAY

Undoubtedly the interesting runner was Lux Aeterna who was returning from a lay off. At her last start at Albion Park in July last year when she failed to finish she was found to be suffering from cardiac arrythmia and was sent out for a long spell. The Rickie Allchin trained mare was an outstanding two year old in her day winning a number of classics winning the Pink Bonnet, Gold Tiara, Victorian Nutrien Final and the New South Wales Breeders Crown.

Driver Ashleigh Delosa let the mare drop out and she was still near the rear of the field in the back straight. Even though out wide on straightening she finished strongly for third and can only be improved by the effort. Whether or not she can improve in time for this Saturday’s Final at the Riverina Paceway remains to be seen.

However Eyes Keep Smiling who finished runner up in last year’s Mares championships looks to be the one to beat in the Final. As a five year old this time in she continues to improve in leaps and bounds and she appears to be head and shoulders above her rivals.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink