Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Aardiebytheseaside, a big, powerful mare, resumed racing after a six-week absence in grand style with a commanding victory in the $27,000 TABtouch Supports Harness Racing Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
It was a performance which indicated she will be at her top for the $100,000 Norms Daughter Classic on November 8.
Aardiebytheseaside, the $1.20 favourite trained by Greg and Skye Bond, mustered plenty of pace from the No. 3 barrier to get past the polemarker Castella Dellacqua after about 320m, and she was not extended as she bowled along in front and won by just under a length from Castella Dellacqua, rating a smart 1.54.9 over 2130m.
Zephyra ($41) ran on from sixth at the bell to finish third, a nose ahead of the $4.80 second favourite Steno, who settled at the rear and was fifth at the bell at her first appearance for almost six months.
Aardiebytheseaside, a New Zealand-bred four-year-old, is unbeaten at her seven starts in Western Australia, and now boasts a splendid record of 28 starts for 15 wins, eight placings and stakes of $379,729.
“It was a good first-up run,” said star driver Deni Roberts. “She did a fair bit of work early. She can tend to overrace but she came back to me quite well and didn’t overrace. She ran a nice 1200m (29sec., 28.1sec. and 28sec.) and I think what is going to win her races is her ability to run a solid mile rate.”