Gold Bracelet and Chalice finals run and won

A masterful drive from Michael Stanley was the catalyst for Soho Honey Rider’s upset win in the $100,000 Gold Bracelet Final at Bathurst. 

Soho Honey Rider (American Ideal) was buried three back along the pegs however Stanley persevered with inside runs before accessing the sprint lane in the home straight. 

Once in the lane, Soho Honey Rider ($81) quickly mustered sufficient momentum to hold off Libby Lou by a head in a mile rate of 1:54.9. 

Lux Aeterna, the $2.20 favorite, was able to gain clear air from her inside second row draw and wrest the lead off Libby Lou inside the first 400 metres however she weakened in the home straight to finish in sixth placing. 

The filly was reported to have suffered atrial fibrillation after the race. 

The win was the Robert Watson owned Soho Honey Rider’s third race track success and took her stake earnings to more than $100,000. 

Stanley also trains the third place getter Soho Vesper Lind for the WA based Watson. 

SOHO HONEY RIDER REPLAY

The KerryAnn Morris trained pacer Mino ($5) continued a frustrating night for punters when he bloused War Dan Buddy ($2.70 fav) in the shadows of the post to take out the $100,000 Gold Chalice Final. 

Minos (Bettors Delight) showed sufficient early speed to hold the front from the pole however Cameron Hart on War Dan Buddy made an early move to wrest the lead off Minos inside the firest 500 metres. 

War Dan Buddy appeared set for victory around the home turn however Minos refused to yield in pursuit lengthening stride over the concluding stages to score by a metre and a half with Royal Cruiser 13 metrs away third in a mile rate of 1:53.2. 

Minos’ driver Robbie Morris admitted he wanted to make War Dan Buddy work for the lead. 

“I wanted War Dan Buddy to earn it which is why we ran the first quarter in 27,” Morris said. 

“I knew my horse would be strong late so I was quietly confident when we turned for home. 

MINOS REPLAY

I was happy with his run in both the Gold Chalice heat and the NSW Derby before that” he said. 

A former New Zealander, Minos has now won three races and topped the $100,000 mark in prize money.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink