When the Ladyship Cup pace is on, that’s Amore

Chris Alford concedes the unfolding of events shortly after the harness racing start is likely to determine the winning chances of Amore Vita (Art Major) in the Alabar Bloodstock Ladyship Cup.

The Emma Stewart-trained mare is considered the main danger to stable mate Tough Tilly, who has been installed a $1.40 favorite after drawing favorably in barrier two.

Not so fortunate is Amore Vita from her inside second row alley and Alford is the man entrusted to navigate a potential race winning pathway over the 1720-metre sprint trip in the Group 2 feature.

“It’s going to be tricky,” Alford said. “The two and three get out hard and I think that will split them open a bit so it just depends, three back the pegs will be okay but any further back wouldn’t be much good.”

Alford said the sprint trip makes his task of finding clear air more difficult.

“It’s always hard to get off in these short races but I haven’t spoken to Clayton and Emma on how she has been going since the Vicbred, so I’ll know more then,” he said.

Alford believes Amore Vita is ready to fulfill her considerable potential.

“When she went to Queensland during the winter she got a bit crazy and started pulling real hard and it’s taken a while to get her settled down again but through the Vicbred series she was really good,” he said.

“I pretty well think she is still up there with the best mares and now she has matured a bit more she’ll go on with it.”

Meanwhile Kate Gath is hoping Tough Tilly can maintain her outstanding lead-to-win career strike rate.

“I think she has only been beaten twice in her career when in front and both times were to Ladies In Red over the 2240 metres,” Gath said.

Gath believes the multiple Group 1-winning mare can return to the winner’s stall after finishing runner up behind Dougs Babe in the Vicbred Super Series (4YO Mares) Final.

“Tough Tilly had to do a bit of work from the draw and Dougs Babe got off the pegs at the right time but she still ran well and from (barrier) two she should be able to cross and get to the fence,” she said.

For complete race entries, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harness Racing Victoria