Steno takes out Lord Mayors Cup

Free wheeling front running mare Steno (Sweet Lou) scored yet another harness racing success when she narrowly held on to win the Group 3 $50,000 Lord Mayors Cup at Gloucester Park last night.

Confidently backed into odds on favouritism Steno’s driver Jocelyn Young took full advantage of her barrier 2 to easily hold the early lead. Her main opponent Water Lou took the trail behind the leader. Jaws of Lincoln who was wide early had no option but to press on to eventually race outside the leader. Mighty Ronaldo who was resuming settled one out and one back.

The race didn’t change complexion with Young being able to dictate her own terms in front. Steno moved away on the final bend with Water Lou not making any ground. However Mighty Ronaldo unleashed a strong sprint and in a blinding finish failed by only a short half head to gather in Steno with Jaws of Lincoln battling on for third after having had a hard run.

STENO FEB 21 REPLAY LORD MAYORS CUP

Steno is currently the in form pacer in the West and with her 23^rd race success the six year old mare took her stake earnings to over $566,000.

A relieved Jocelyn Young spoke after the event.

“I thought he (Mighty Ronaldo) had me to be honest. She was just travelling but maybe I was just more worried about holding back when I normally would have let her loose at the 400 metres. That separation on them which I didn’t have tonight.”

Pressed as to whether she would prepare Steno for the Pinjarra Cup, Young replied.

“We will stick to the mares races. Tonight we were missing a couple of the real standouts and it was drawn on sex. That obviously was a key factor for us. She’ll race the mares as there are plenty of features coming up.”

Runner up Mighty Ronaldo turned in a splendid run first up and he will be much improved by that hit out.

Second favourite Water Lou was travelling behind the leader and although she contacted the marker pegs she tired notably to finish at the rear of the field.  A vet’s examination reported no abnormalities for the four year old mare.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink