Two year old filly qualifies in sensational time

Lady Macandrew (Downbytheseaside) was the sensation of Central Southland Raceway this afternoon when the two year old harness racing filly qualified over 1609 metres in 1-56.2.

“It’s the first time I’ve really let her bowl along. Today was her last day before she goes out, so I wanted to let her bowl along and see what she could do. She ran out of the gate and wanted to keep going so I just went with her,” trainer driver Jeremy Douglas said.

The filly opened up a big lead early and won by 16 lengths with the last 800 cut out in 58.5.

“She always felt nice, but she can get a wee bit hot so I’ve never really opened the throttle. While I had a gut feeling she was pretty nice, you don’t know until you go and find out. I’ve never seen her get tired, put it that way. She’s got a huge amount of bottom to her.”

Lady Macandrew is the second foal out of the American Ideal mare Beaudiene Ladylike. The mare’s first foal Macandrew Royale (Net Ten EOM) qualified at Gore in September.

“He’s a big leggy horse who’s going to take a bit of time to fill out, but I really rate him quite highly.”

Lady Macandrew was bred by Douglas’s partner and local vet, Megan Reidie.

“She has a bit of luck does Megan. Doesn’t matter what stallions she sends her mares to, she calls them Macandrew and off they run.”

Megan will be hoping her luck continues at Tuesday’s NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales when she offers Lot 184 – a Bettor’s Delight colt out of the three win Christian Cullen Petra’s Star, named Macandrew Maverick.

Douglas also had open class pacer Macandrew Aviator at the trials today. The eight year old gelding last raced in the Hannon Memorial, then trained by Stephen Boyd.

“Really happy with him. I’ve clocked him post to post in 3-03 and home (800 metres) in 55 and he did it quite nice. When he galloped away in the Hannon he damaged his offside front foot really badly. We brought him home and he’s had regular attention. The plan is to treat his hocks which means you can’t go anywhere for two weeks. His aim is the Wyndham and Winton Cups because they’re Country Cup qualifiers. Hopefully he’ll accrue enough points to get into the $100,000 final at Addington.

Meanwhile well-bred trotter Diva Bee, (Marcoola) the first foal out of Hawaiian Hula, qualified at Winton today, running second to her already qualified stablemate Hail Mary.

Trained by Nathan Williamson, the timing of Diva Bee’s win was perfect for her owner Katie Williamson. Katie has a Father Patrick half-sister in Tuesday’s NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales in Christchurch. The filly is Lot 329.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink