Unbeaten filly facing her toughest Challenge yet

The New South Wales Breeders Challenge harness racing series is starting to ramp up with the semi-finals taking place at Menangle on Saturday night.

One of the more intriguing battles is likely to be the clash between unbeaten Sydney filly Lux Aeterna (Captaintreacherous) and promising Bathurst youngster Lady Kingsclair (Modern Art) in the second of the qualifiers for the two-year-old fillies.

It is difficult to line up the form of each filly as they have never met in a race, however the draw has favoured Lady Kingsclair who will start from gate two, while Lux Aeterna must contend with the extreme outside gate.

Despite having her main dangers drawn to her inside, trainer-driver Rickie Alchin remains confident that his filly’s class will be enough for her to overcome the adversities.

“She had drawn wide at her past few runs, and it did not seem to worry her,” said Alchin.

“I will just allow her to float off the arm and then see what happens.

“I am pleased with where she is at. The plan all season has been to aim her at this race, and all has panned out perfectly, I could not have her any better than she is.

“But I do have the utmost respect for Lady Kingsclair and then there is Elusive which Geoff Webster has brought up from Victoria with an impressive record.

“It really does shape up as a nice test for our filly, especially when the others have drawn better.”

Alchin is hoping his other two-year-old filly, Sweet Hayley Jane can also go close to winning in the first semi-final but again the barrier draw has been unfavourable to the stable with another outside gate.

Sweet Hayley Jane impressed by winning her past two outings at Menangle and Bathurst in fast times.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW