Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Acharne Girl is unbeaten at her five starts after a seven-month absence, and she earned a start in next Friday night’s $50,000 Kerry Clarke Pace for mares when she raced without cover for much of the 2130m journey and held on to defeat $14 chance Rock On Top by a half-head in the Im Themightyquinn Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
She was the $4 second favourite from barrier four, and after racing three wide early, Gary Hall Jnr angled her into the one-wide line in sixth position before sending her forward soon after to race in the breeze outside the $1.90 favourite Rockmyster.
Rockmyster began to wilt in the back straight in the final circuit before Hall sent Acharne Girl to the front about 250m from home. She then held on grimly to beat Rock On Top, who had enjoyed a perfect passage behind Acharne Girl in the one-out, one-back position.
The final quarters were run in 28.5sec. and 29.7sec. and Acharne Girl rated 1.57.7.
Acharne Girl, prepared by champion trainer Gary Hall Snr, has earned $86,677 from six wins and four placings from 16 starts and Hall Jnr is looking forward to next Friday night’s feature event for mares in which Wonderful To Fly is sure to prove extremely hard to beat.
“I’d love to lead and keep Wonderful To Fly outside of me and see how Acharne Girl can go,” said Hall Jnr. “Acharne Girl is tough, but she lacks a yard in speed. Wonderful To Fly can put two 27sec. quarters together certainly looks very hard to beat.
“Tonight, I dropped into the one-wide line before coming out to go to the breeze. I wanted to get to the breeze but when they were going that hard early, I decided to drop in for a bit.
“Acharne Girl did a good job because I put too much emphasis on trying to beat the leader, and when the leader stopped this left Acharne Girl in front a bit too early, mainly because she shuts off — and Aiden (De Campo) had a beautiful run with Rock On Top, and when he came at me I thought he would get me. But Acharne Girl lifted off the canvas and found a bit more, and on the line was holding Rock On Top.”