Red-letter day for the wonder mare in $305,000 race?

Ladies In Red (Mach Three) Australia’s champion two and three-year-old filly, faces the toughest test of her harness racing career when she takes on the boys in Saturday night’s Group 1 The Rising Sun in Brisbane.

Dominant against her own sex from the day she debuted in September 2020, Ladies In Red has drawn to find the lead and bookmakers have reacted accordingly by installing her a $2.60 favorite.

Owner Bill Anderson believes the wonder mare is primed for a first-up win on the back of her recent stunning trial victory at Tabcorp Park where she rated 1:52.8.

“She continues to go to another level,” Anderson said.

“That’s the result of her having long spells and being well managed throughout her career.”

The Emma Stewart-trained pacer was a much-sought drawcard for the Queensland winter carnival and was given one of four invitations to the $300,000 race.

“Queensland wasn’t really on the radar, but they chased her and after discussing it with Clayton and Emma, both Anne and I thought it was time for her to do it,” he said.

Anderson is under no illusions as to the magnitude of the task ahead for the only mare in the race.

“The challenge will be to lead and then withstand the mid-race pressure from the boys. It’s a scenario she has never had to deal with before,” he said.

The Rising Sun is likely to be a “one-off’ appearance for Ladies In Red during the carnival.

“She will only chase the big races without going here, there and everywhere,” Anderson said.

“She will most likely come home after the race and then be aimed at the Queen Of The Pacific along with the Breeders Crown and Vicbred Series.”

Victorian-trained mares appear set to play a key role in the Group 3 Fleur De Lil Ladyship Stakes at Albion Park on Saturday night, where the Stewart-prepared Maajida is a $2.50 favorite and the Jess Tubbs-trained Momentslikethese ($7.50) has drawn to enjoy the run of the race.

Nathan Jack, who will be having his first drive behind Maajida, said he intends to press forward from the mare’s mid front row draw.

“I’ll be looking for the top,” Jack said.

“Momentslikethese has drawn inside me, but she seems to race better with a sit as she showed in the APG Final in Sydney, so it should get down to everyone gets their chance to win.”

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by John Dunne, for HRV