Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Powerful New Zealand-bred mare Aardiebytheseaside showed that she not only has outstanding winning prospects in the $100,000 Norms Daughter Classic and the $150,000 Mares Classic in November but she has the ability to challenge the male four-year-olds in the $2000,000 Golden Nugget on December 13 with a dazzling first-up performance in the Rotary Club of Fremantle Pace for mares at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“I’m excited about her future,” said Deni Roberts after driving the Greg and Skye Bond-trained Aardiebytheseaside to a most impressive runaway victory in which the mare, at her first appearance for eleven weeks was a hot $1.20 favourite from the No. 5 barrier in the 2130m event.
Little Darling, the $6 second fancy from the No. 1 barrier, set the pace after a fast lead time of 35.6sec., with Blaze Coops ($41) keeping her honest as she raced keenly in the breeze. Roberts was more than happy to take the trail in the one-out, one-back position, following Blaze Coops.
Roberts bided her time until she switched Aardiebytheseaside three wide 550m from home, and the mare sprinted brilliantly to burst to the front 150m later before careering away from her rivals to win by just under seven lengths from $31 chance Sovrana, who ran on solidly from fifth on the pegs at the bell. The winner rated a smart 1.55.2.
“This time, compared to her first preparation here from New Zealand, she is happy in our system,” said Roberts. “I wasn’t concerned about how the race turned out, and it was nice to get a helmet (following Blaze Coops). She is a classy mare and if she has to do the work (in her races), I’m sure she will be able to do that.”
Aardiebytheseaside has not been extended in winning easily at her first three starts in Western Australia, and she appears destined for big things. She has earned $307,954 from 11 wins and eight placings from 24 starts.