By David Lewis
LAST Sunday’s three heats of the Grade 6 (1-3 wins) 400 metres at Tara Raceway threw up some smart performances.
None better, though, than that of Key To Success in the second heat for Mount Gambier trainer Noel Miller.
Miller races the September 2020 daughter of My Redeemer x Black Pontiac in partnership with local business identities Peter Lamond (Commercial Hotel) and his daughter Gail Richards (Key 2 Sale Real Estate).
Key To Success has been placed well by her trainer, having now raced on four occasions for three wins in maiden, juvenile and grade six company – with another grade six race to come this week in the form of an added money final.
She overcame an awkward box-five draw in the appropriately named Commercial Hotel Stake when leading all the way for a 4¼ lengths win over Rip The Pip in a quick 22.97 seconds.
Warrnambool trainer Colin Kelly returned with Felonious Gru, a maiden winner over 305 metres a fortnight ago.
He had no trouble in stepping up to 400 metres when leading all the way in the first heat to defeat Joffa’s Neptune by 2½ lengths in 23.12 seconds.
Fend Them Off, a first-up maiden winner over 305 metres back in December, looked impressive when quickly finding the front from box eight in the third heat for Southern Cross trainer Ray Mahony.
Raced by Queensland-based Duane Dalton, the son of Fernando Bale and Made First eventually ran out a three-length winner over Lektra Rodney in 23.37 seconds.
Meanwhile, Toolong trainer Phil Lenehan, who has Lektra Rodney through to the final after a three length second behind Fend Them Off, ended the day with a double – Lektra Raffa and Lektra Gal.
The Tim O’Brien owned Lektra Raffa led for a greater part of the journey in the Klaassens Contractors Maiden Stake (305m) when defeating Menari Tom by 2¾ lengths in a tidy 17.75 seconds.
While carrying the Lektra prefix, the fawn dog, contrary to the majority of Lenehan’s breed, boasts a strong Wheeler influence through the sire Dyna Chancer and dam Uptown Funk.
