Champion racemare Ladies In Red made a one act affair of the $24,000 Blossom Lady at Melton on Saturday night.
Coming off the only unplaced run in her 31 start career in Cordina Sprint, Ladies In Red lobbed along at the rear of the field before driver David Moran made a move to sit outside the leader Rakero Rebel with a lap to travel.
When asked for a greater effort, Ladies In Red ($1.35 favourite) surged clear around the final bend before cruising to the line holding an eight metre advantage over her stablemate Treachery and the consistent Sew What in a mile rate of 1.53.2.
Moran continues to be in awe of the six-year-old mare.
“She’s a once in a lifetime mare, she is very special,” Moran said.
Moran said it was always his intention to secure the spot outside the leader.
“Our first option was to go and sit parked but the leaders had gone pretty hard early,” he said. “We wanted to get in front of the other horses as we thought we had the leader covered with the work it had done early and get around to the breeze and control the tempo and fingers crossed be too good for them.”
Moran said it was likely Sydney racegoers will get the opportunity to see Ladies In Red in the coming weeks at Menangle.
“I would imagine the Ladyship (Mile) will be the main priority with her,” he said.
The Emma Stewart trained Ladies In Red now boasts the imposing career record of 25 wins from 32 starts for more than $1.92m in stake earnings.
It was a relieved Chris Lang after his star trotter Ollivici returned to the winner’s stall in the $24,000 City Of Melton Trotters Free For All.
Ollivici, who hadn’t saluted since winning a heat of the Inter Dominion Trotting Championship last December, was a $2.80 second elect behind Im Ready Jet who was installed a $2.15 favourite.
John Dunne
