Underrated four-year-old Chilled Sanction (Chill Factor – Reneaisss Oil) pounced late to score an upset victory in the opening leg of the Mares Triple Crown at Moonee Valley last Friday night.
High profile Kiwi raider Molly Darling looked set to claim the $20,000 Cinderella Stakes with John Caldow in the sulky before breaking stride with 100-metres to travel.
That opened the door for reigning Triple Crown champion Golden Flyin and Chilled Sanction to fight out a thrilling finish along the Express Post Lane.
In the end it was Chilled Sanction, who had trailed three pegs from the coveted pole draw, who prevailed by a head with Ladyinred three-metres in arrears after leading them up.
Whilst she was sent out odds of $18.30, connections gave the mare a chance of figuring prominently in the finish from her prized draw.
“We were rapt with her run in the Vicbred final (behind Innocent Eyes) last week when she got knocked down and still finished fourth,” driver Amy Tubbs said.
“With her gate speed from the good draw we gave her a chance of running a place tonight in what was obviously a tougher assignment.
“I didn’t know whether I’d got there or not, but ‘Aiky’ (David Aiken, driving Golden Flyin) said afterwards that he thought I’d got him on the line.
“I’m just so proud of her….she’s a wonderful mare who gives her all.”
Chilled Sanction’s victory continued Tubbs’ amazing feature race record from barrier one at the state’s premier venue.
In the past two years, the talented 22-year-old has also netted three Group 1 victories at headquarters from the inside gate – Australian Oaks (Moment In Time, $19.20), Vicbred Super Series Final (Dee En Ay Macray, $2.20) and Australian Pacing Gold Final (Same Old Macray, $8).
All four horses have been prepared at Bacchus Marsh by her father Alan.
The Mares Triple Crown continues with the $30,000 Ladyship Cup (1609m) this Friday night, where the preferential draw on metro class will see Chilled Sanction faced with another favourable inside alley.
It then concludes with the Group 1 $100,000 Queen Of The Pacific (2575m) under standing start conditions on May 26.
In other highlights from Friday night, former show horse Acacia Ridge continued his meteoric rise with a stunning victory at his Moonee Valley debut.
Last season’s Victoria Trotters Derby winner toyed with his rivals in the $8000 VSTA Trotters Cup Final before careering away to a 29-metre victory.
The Gary Hoban-trained and driven squaregaiter will now tackle the prestigious Tontine Series in regional Victoria before returning to town for the rich Vicbred 4YO Super Series.
On a night for the ladies, Jodi Quinlan took the driving honours with three winners – Captain Kalahari, Whipair and Mighty Mac Cailen.
