Last nights harness racing meeting at Cambridge was notable for having one of those rarest of happenings, a double deadheat.
There was only five runners in the PGG Wrightson Sales Graduette and as expected with such a small field, it turned into a bit of a cat and mouse affair.
The favourite Poppy Maguire with Maurice McKendry in the bike came out of barrier one quickly before handing up to Killer Queen and Simon Lawson after 200 metres.
Simon immediately put the brakes on and they dawdled down to the 400 metres mark before the sprint really went on.
Poppy Maguire quickly got up to Killer Queen on the passing lane but couldn't get past her and they went to the line locked together.
Pure Opulence,after enjoying a soft run run three back on the inner, ran on well late as did Bettor Love Me who sat last the whole way and the second pair also went to the line locked together.
The unlucky runner was Tuapeka Sky who got up to the leader on the corner and looked to be travelling better only to have her inexperience come through when she went rough entering the home straight and lost any winning chance she had.
After what seemed an eternity, the judge called a deadheat for first between Poppy Maguire and Killer Queen and a deadheat for third between Pure Opulence and Bettor Love Me.
The two winners covered the 1700 metres in 2:08.5, a mile rate of 2:01.6 with closing sectionals of 59.6 and 28.4.
Killer Queen, a daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven has long been held in high regard by trainer Ray Green.
" She was up and going earlier in the season but then she got sick and we had to back off her."
" I am not sure if she is completely over it to be honest."
" Last night she knocked off half way up the straight and only got going again late in the piece when the other filly came up on her inside, " Ray said.
The plans are not yet set in concrete for Killer Queen and where she goes depends on how she keeps progressing.
" She is on the improve but she will need to be if she is going to be competitive against those All Stars runners."
" She can go to the final of the Sires Stakes now at Auckland and if she preforms good in that then we may head south for the Harness Jewels," Ray said.
Poppy Maguire, a daughter of American Ideal pleased her driver Maurice McKendry.
" She is a lovely wee filly to drive."
" Nicely gaited with a bit of speed and very professional and she will more than pay her way."
"I actually thought I had got up but half a win is better than second," Maurice said.
Both fillies are still on the improve and will be be very competitive when the final of the Sires Stakes is held at Alexandra Park on April 24th
Harnesslink Media