Eye Keep Smiling’s outstanding win in Queen Elizabeth II Mile

Brilliant mare Eye Keep Smiling (Sweet Lou) showed her very best when despite having had a torrid run outlasted her harness racing opponents in the Group 1 $200,000 Prydes Easifood Queen Elizabeth II Mile at Menangle Park on Saturday night.

In an action packed event Tay Tay showed blistering early speed to easily take the lead. Luke McCarthy was out wide but was really made to work for the first 600 metres she was three wide before eventually racing up alongside the leader. From the pole position Sweet Niki Lou kicked up to take the trail behind the leader. The first two quarters were run in a quick 27 and 27.9 seconds.

Meanwhile Steno was taken back to the rear of the field by Jocelyn Young and Rakero Rebel had a one out and two back trail.

Even when Eye Keep Smiling grabbed the lead on turning for home having done all the work she seemed to be a sitting duck for the fresher horses from behind.

Rakero Rebel started to gather her in but it was Steno who was out wide from under the track that started to really haul in the leaders.

However Eye Keep Smiling just found that little bit extra and she scored by a half a head from Steno with Rakero Rebel just under four metres away in third. The mile rate was an outstanding 1.49.3.

EYE KEEP SMILING MAY 10 REPLAY

A jubilant Luke McCarthy expressed his pride following the mare’s win.

“She was parked the whole way. She never gives up and she tries so hard. That was awesome.”

“She’s one of the best mares I’ve ever driven. I’ve been lucky enough to drive some champion mares. I’m very happy for Jackie and Mary Gibson (the owners).”

“She gets better and gets the job done. She was entitled to get beaten tonight. The way she worked and was parked. You were a sitting shot. There wasn’t much else I could do.”

“We were lucky enough to hold on.”

Eye Keep Smiling has taken all before her this time and is now considered as one of the nation’s best mares. Steno ran a great race and showed that she is not just a front runner.

Should Steno and Eye Keep Smiling go for the big mares race at Albion Park in July they will engage in yet another battle that may be determined by the barrier draw.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink