Bremner’s ‘Lamp’ lights the way
SPLENDIDLY ridden by champion apprentice Lyle Hewitson, three-year-old Widow’s Lamp out of Yvette Bremner’s stable justified 15-10 favouritism with a gutsy hat-trick at Fairview yesterday in the main event, a MR 79 Handicap (F&M) over 1 800m.
Hewitson had the filly midfield in a strung-out field led by Christmas Carol, Minds Eye and Katies Jay, while Tiffindell and Another Night were the backmarkers.
Another Night and Tiffindell moved up sharply into contention 500m out but Widow’s Lamp had enough in reserve to power through and score convincingly by a length from Tiffindell (18-1) who relegated Another Night (5-1) to third place by 1,50 lengths, with Katies Jay (15-2) a further 0,70 lengths back in fourth position.
First-timer Say No More topped the betting boards in Race 1, a 1 000m Maiden Juvenile Plate but was withdrawn at the start when repeatedly refusing to load. However, in a stirring finish victory went to the new favourite Alfeo (16-10) out of Alan Greeff’s stable.
Though showing inexperience once again after finishing second on debut, the colt responded to strong riding from Greg Cheyne and snatched the decision from under the nose of stablemate Tune The Scope (22-1) who showed promise in making his debut. Speed Flyer was a similar distance back in third spot.
Race 2 saw Tara Laingtrained African Victory (6-1) score impressively on debut with Keanen Steyn up in a 1 200m Maiden Plate. Tucked in off the pace and let loose 450m out, the four-year-old bounded away to a near tenlength win from stablemate and first-timer Tashunca (6-1) who ran on strongly from last after a bad start.
The leading stable of Justin Snaith delivered in Race 3 with Grizabell (7-1) under a fine ride by Callan Murray in a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1 600m. Tracking pacemaker Wahi until 250m out, the three-year-old rallied gamely and went to line with a halflength to spare from Love Talk (4-1) who quickened smartly from off the pace.
Greeff and Cheyne struck again in Race 4 with Mamba Mania (7-2) in a MR Maiden Plate (F&M) over 2 000m. Bouncing back after an indifferent last run, the four-yearold came through from well off the pace to hit the front 300m out and score by an increasing four lengths from Data Link (13-2) who stayed on well.
Laing-trained Tamashi (9-2) posted a splendid hat-trick in Race 5 when confidently ridden by Murray in a MR 68 Handicap (F&M) over 2 000m. Positioned midfield the fouryear-old came through with fine timing to take the measure of pacemaker Lucky Lulu (6-1) by a half-length. Sanctuary (15-1) was a head behind in third place.