Queen set to peak

David Moran expects the country’s best race mare Ladies In Red (Mach Three) to be at her peak for next week’s Group 1 Queen Of The Pacific after completing back to back harness racing wins in the Angelique Club Pace at Melton.

Having only her second race day appearance in almost 12 months, Ladies In Red atoned for her first up defeat by Rakero Rebel a fortnight ago and rightfully led her rivals back to the winner’s stall for the 23rd time in 29 starts.

Sent out a $1.35 favorite, Ladies In Red settled one out one back before David Moran made a mid-race move to sit parked outside her stable mate Tough Tilly and that pair appeared set to fight out the race.

Ladies In Red forged clear in the home straight and held off the fast finishing Treachery to score by a neck in a mile rate of 1:54.9.

Moran said he wasn’t disappointed by Ladies In Red’s runner up effort when resuming.

“Her run last week was terrific, it was a long time to have out and come back in this grade against some of these mares,” Moran said

She’s back 💃

The Emma Stewart-trained Ladies in Red wins the Nutrien Angelique Club Pace for the second year in a row at Melton tonight.

That’s a driving double for David Moran. pic.twitter.com/EAT0PY4Kw8

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) October 28, 2023

Moran said he expects the five-year-old to be even in finer fettle for next week’s Group 1 Benstud Standardbreds Queen Of The Pacific.

“And tonight will make her even sharper and better again when she is stepping up in trip next week to the 2760 metres,” he said.

Moran admitted he wanted to dictate the terms of the race by sitting parked outside the leader.

“When Treachery handed up to Tough Tilly at some stage I wanted to be beside them to try and control the tempo of the race, I didn’t want to be three wide and give chase while the leaders were burning and give Treachery one last crack at us,” he said.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink