Star filly sends a stern warning

Star filly Anntonia sent out a stern warning to her rivals for next week’s $150,000 Group 1 Three-Year-Old Fillies Breeders Challenge Final at Menangle.

The daughter of Bettors Delight ran close to her personal best time on a rain-affected track when claiming a semi-final at Menangle on Saturday night.

Leading off the arm out of gate six, Anntonia clocked the mile in 1:52.5 and a final quarter in 26.1 seconds with driver Luke McCarthy.

Her personal best mile rate is 1:52.1.

And on top of that success, connections learned the news at Menangle tonight that Anntonia drew barrier three for next Saturday night’s final.

“She felt super tonight even better than the week before,” said McCarthy.

“She felt really sharp, and Thorny (David Thorn) has he spot on going into the final.

“I think the final is a race between Anntonia and Chrissy Chic.”

Chrissy Chic was the other Breeders Challenge semi-final winner at Menangle on Saturday night, winning in a mile rate of 1:52.3 for trainer Jason Grimson and driver Cameron Hart.

“The race worked out perfect,” said Hart.

“On paper I thought I’d slide forward and find the front but there was some early speed and I was able to tuck into a position.

“She’s a very versatile filly that can lead or trail which is great.

“I didn’t pull the plugs on her so she was pretty comfortable over the line.

“She could go 1:50, 1:51 if she had too.”

Chrissy Chic has drawn barrier seven for the stellar clash with Anntonia at Menangle on October 30.

See the field and draw below:

To view the results from Menangle on Saturday night click here.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink