OVERPORT LODGE FILLIES CHASE PINK BONNET
Overport Lodge fillies, Lulu Le Mans and Millwood Tilly, will be better placed against their own sex in next Saturday’s $50,000 Group Two Pink Bonnet at Tabcorp Park Menangle.
The fillies ran a creditable third, and fourth, respectively, against the colts in the $50,000 Slingsby Holdings Sapling Stakes at Menangle on Saturday, March 2.
Sapling winner, Mach Dan, a Mach Three gelding from NZ-bred mare Bettor Give It (Bettor’s Delight-Giveitawhirlgirl), finished too strongly from a handy spot for driver Chris Alford in 1:52.9 for the 1609m.
Lulu Le Mans, Group Two-placed with her third in the Menangle Sapling Stakes on Saturday.
Mach Dan, a $3.30 favourite for the Victorian stable of Emma Stewart, outfinished trailer Sportswriter colt, The Tiger Army, by three metres.
Lulu Le Mans, from four back on the markers for driver Anthony Butt, fought strongly for third a head back third, with Millwood Tilly and Mark Jones, from five back on the markers, running on for fourth.
Overport Lodge stablemate The Bus, who delivered for top reinswoman Natalie Rasmussen in the night’s opener, the Listed $25,000 Lexus Of Macarthur Lady Driver Invitational, has earned a month off.
The Bus, a four-year-old Art Major entire, led from the four gate with Rasmussen rating him to a career best 1:51 mile.
A half-brother to former stable star Saveapatrol, The Bus was racking up his 13th win in 42 starts for owner Grant Hatton.
The Bus held former NZ pacer Wrangler by 1.7 metres, finishing off with his last 800m in 55s and quickening over his last quarter in 26.9s.
The $100,000 NSW Breeders Challenge at Menangle on June 30 will be a target for The Bus on his next preparation.