Qwara Bale stormed into favouritism for the $145,000 group 1 Sapphire Crown with a brilliant victory in her heat at Sandown Park last night.
The last-start Warrnambool Cup winner made it three wins from as many starts at Sandown Park but was forced to work hard to maintain her unbeaten record at the track. Typically showing excellent speed at box rise, Qwara Bale only stepped modestly from box 7 and was squeezed between Immunity and Dr Rozzie soon after the start. However with clear air, she showed tremendous acceleration to sweep around the field and by the time the entered the back straight, had opened a three length margin on the field.
Mepunga Katie closed late but the result was never in doubt, Qwara Bale charging into the $100,000 to the winner final in 29.28.
Trainer Andrea Dailly will have a two pronged attack on next Thursday night’s final with pre-post favourite Shima Classic also progressing after finishing second to Carry On Star, a winner in 29.67. Carry On Star is prepared by Tim Britton and will be keen to add his name to the Sapphire Crown honour roll which already features his father Rob Britton, his uncle Jeff Britton, and his aunty Angela Langton.
Queenslander Crazy Cool won the night’s opening heat in 29.602, holding off the 2020 Sapphire Crown runner up Aston Silk by just under a length, while Persian Goddess caused the upset of the night when winning her heat after starting at 40/1.
Junk Food Junkie also qualified for the final and will now line up in her third group final in five starts.
Later in the night, Shima Shine scorched around Sandown Park to win his heat of the group 1 Harrison-Dawson in 29.003, the 8th fastest time ever recorded at Sandown Park. He’ll meet a familiar foe in next week’s $145,000 final, with Tiggerlong Tonk also impressing in winning his heat in 29.100 setting up a remarkable 9th meeting between the two in a group race final.
The Sapphire Crown and Harrison-Dawson finals will be run in conjunction with the heats of the world’s premier distance race, the $250,000 group 1 RSN Sandown Cup, on Thursday 20th May.
Click here for full results, and scroll down for replays of the Sapphire Crown heats.
Click here for the latest Sapphire Crown market from tab.com.au
