Irma Bale is on track to defend her McKenna Memorial title after a brilliantly winning her heat at Sandown Park tonight.
The defending McKenna Memorial champion was headed early by Hawk Alone, however the Sandown Park specialist stuck to the rail and powered to the line to defeat the dead heaters Hurricane Isaac and Amadeus Strikes by 4 lengths in 34.32.
The win was the 36th of Irma Bale’s remarkable 86 start career and took her career prize money to $550,201. It was her fourth win over the 595m from eight starts, and her 10th win from 19 starts over all distances at Sandown Park. The McKenna Memorial will be her 18th Group final and fifth at Sandown Park.
Proven Impala’s outstanding recent form continued when she recorded the fastest heat win in 34.13. Already a Group 1 winner over the Meadows’ middle distance, Proven Impala showed why she is one of the country’s best middle distance chasers when defeated her rivals by an ever widening nine lengths.
Boris Fields claimed his first win over the middle distance with an impressive 2 length victory over the fast finishing Major League in 34.18. It was the impressive white and blue chaser’s 14th career win from 33 starts and the dual group 2 winner will be aiming for a third group race title from six attempts.
Surf Mail maintained his unbeaten record over the distance when he proved too good for Perth Cup winner Dyna Nalin, scoring by 2 lengths in 34.49.
Zelemar Fever backed up from a fifth placing in the WA Oaks on Saturday night with a commanding all of the way win in 34.44, while New Tibur caused the upset of the night, defeating favourite Cintiarna by a half head in 34.43.
The $58,000 Group 2 McKenna Memorial final will be run at Sandown Park on Thursday 11 July.
