LAURA McKAY IN SUBLIME FORM
Overport Lodge junior driver Laura McKay was in sublime form at Addington on Friday night, scoring a winning double with stable runner Smoke N Reactor, then repeating with Enchantee two races later.
Laura McKay, in the Hartnell colours, after winning her first race with Kowhai Whiz at Rangiora in 2015.
Laura had settled for minor placings in her drives for the season before Friday, but turned things around with the winning double for her eighth and ninth career wins.
She reined Smoke N Reactor patiently from the five gate in the Telfer’s Electrical Mobile Pace, settling second-to-last, then sweeping the others away with a well-timed final sprint.
Smoke N Reactor swept up five wide turning for home and finished the race off in style, clearing out by 3 1/2 lengths.
The daughter of Auckland Reactor and good mare Smoke N Mirrors (10 wins & $189,675) rated 1:58.9 for the 1980m for her second win in 20 starts.
She’s the fourth to race and fourth winner for Smoke N Mirrors, joining Smoke N Grin (two wins), the ill-fated Smoke N Santanna (p2, 1:58.4, two wins from six 2YO starts), and Smoke N Fire (1:58.5, six wins).
Laura made the most of a catch drive for Nick Le Lievre behind NZ Breeders Stakes-placed mare Enchantee in the Mico Plumbing Hornby (Junior Drivers) Handicap Pace.
Enchantee, the first Group One starter for Le Lievre, when she chased home Dream About Me and Step Up in the Breeders Stakes on February 15, made the most of a drop back in class for the Junior Drivers Pace.
After settling handy on the outer, Laura drove the favourite confidently, easing out three wide at the 1100m when back runners began circling.
She led the running line parked at the 800m, ran clear at the 500m and held by three-quarters of a length from Pat’s Dragon and Young Conqueror.
Enchantee, who paced the 2600m (stand) in 3:17.3, quickening over her last 800m in 56.8s, was recording her sixth win in 39 starts, taking her earnings to $51,186.