New star emerges on Group 1 scene

Absolutely nothing went her way in the Group one Queen Elizabeth Mile at Menangle tonight (May 4) but Aardies Express (Always B Miki) stamped herself as the prospective heir apparent to million-dollar mare, Ladies in Red.

As expected, Ladies in Red bounced to the front from barrier two, but from barrier nine Aardies Express found herself caught three wide where she remained throughout.

Aardies Express was 20 metres from Ladies in Red on the home turn before trainer-driver Jack Trainor peeled five wide and the mare steamed up the straight to claim victory by a neck in the prestigious $200,000 feature.

To watch the race replay, click here.

“She did a great job tonight it was a massive run,” the elated trainer-driver said.

“A credit to her, what a great mare.  I got stuck three wide and even though the pace wasn’t that strong in the middle stages, no one wants to be three wide over a mile,” he said.

“At the top of the straight I saw Ladies in Red had such a break, but to (Aardies Express’s) credit she just dug in. I couldn’t be prouder of her,” he said.

The win gave Trainor his fourth successive victory in the prestigious mares’ race – but it was without a doubt, one of his finest training performances.

The New Zealand-bred mare arrived in Australia a winner of 13 races but acknowledged to carry some significant soundness issues.  Trainor has clearly been able to bring out the best in the five-year-old.

She recorded a massive first up run to win the Group three Sibelia at Menangle on April 20, before her Queen Elizabeth Mile victory.

“It’s a lot of hard work but I have a great team behind me in Jack Brown and the others,” Trainor said.

“And I’m so grateful the owners keep sending me these great mares as well. It makes my job much easier!”

Aardies Express is owned by Canadian Mike Tanev, and although the Queensland Golden Girl would be expected to be on the radar in July, Trainor said no decisions had been made yet about the mare’s racing future.

“Three wide the trip, she will deserve a week in the paddock after that. We’re just glad to have this one over!” Trainor said.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink