Beautifully bred youngster Katie Merry set the time standard in tonight’s heats of the Group 2 Macro Meats Laurels Classic, winning the night’s final heat in 29.56.
Trained by Ray Bartolo on behalf of his mother Diane, the daughter of Go Wild Teddy and dual Solo Melbourne Cup finalist Miss Mini Mouse began only fairly from box five before spearing to the rail and opening up a large margin down the back straight. Western Australian chaser Roxy Mac closed the gap to 2½ lengths at the line but Kate Merry proved too good, claiming her fifth win in 11 career starts.
Exciting youngster Leelicious registered an impressive win over Until Then in 29.61. The Engin Gemci trained speedster used plenty of the track early and rounded the first turn three wide, however once she found the lead entering the back straight, she displayed a devastating turn of foot to open a break on her rivals and win by 4.75 lengths.
One of the night’s most impressive heat winners was Stetson Donna, who won her fourth consecutive race in taking out race 10 in 29.78. Sitting behind early leaders Ruby Jet and Cee Anna Rose, Stetson Donna was unable to find a way past the lamp lighters until entering the homes straight, where she powered through a small gap to claim a 1¼ length victory.
Leviathan owner Paul Wheeler, who owned seven of the finalists in the recent Solo Melbourne Cup, took out two heats with Gula Bale winning the night’s opening event which was severely marred by interference, and Elmira Bale who proved too strong in the third heat.
She Ain’t Late led all the way to win race 5 in 29.74, while Zara Zulu (29.85) and Chilly Babe (29.96) took out the night’s remaining heats.
It was not a good night for the night’s two shortest favourites, with Group 1 Adelaide Cup winner Mepunga Nicky succumbing to injury, and Group 1 Solo Melbourne Cup finalist Bala Bale finding considerable trouble to narrowly miss progressing to next Thursday night’s semi finals.
The first four place getters from each of tonight’s Macro Meats Laurels Classic heats progress through to next Thursday night’s semi finals ahead of the $50,000 to the winner Group 2 final to be run at Sandown Park on Thursday 29 December.
