Courage Under Fire lass in an authorative win

Courage Under Fire lass in authorative win

Harnesslink Admin 11:39 AM 21-Nov-2009 NZT

Lancome seen here winning on Show Day -

Classy 3yr old filly Lancome stamped her position as the horse to beat in the up coming fillies feature races, with an authorative win against some quality opposition last night at addington. From the powerful Purdon/Payne barn the daughter of harness racing legend Courage Under Fire, was sent forward at the 1400 by regular pilot Blair Orange.

After finding the front with a lap to run, the warm fav was never in any danger, cruising home to win untested by 2 1/2 lengths from Southern visitor Ask McArdle and stablemate of the winner Chrissy Styx, who couldn't be separated at the line, in a time of 2.24.1, mr 1.58.9. closing 800 in 57.1, 400 in 27.1.

The expected clash between Lancome and the unbeaten Timeless Perfection never eventuated, after the Brendon Hill trained filly raced well below par, and dropped out to finish near last. With driver Ricky May stating, " she just wasn't right tonight".

Owner Brian West said it was a "big thrill" to race such a quality horse having purchased her at the Yearling Sales for 40k with a view to her broodmare potential.

" I loved her pedigree, she's from a wonderful fillies family and I knew I had to have her". Marie Price broke her in and rang me after 6 weeks and said, " this is a Mark Purdon horse this filly". And that's how she ended up at Mark's".

Brian had previously been associated with a good horse in Defoe, as well as some handy fillies including Fearless Freda, Awfully Nice and Susan Who.

But Lancome is "by far the best", he went on to say. It was a golden night for Direct Scooter line stallion's, who's progeny won 6 of the 8 pacing races on offer!

THE STATS:

TOP DRIVER: MARK JONES 2 WINS

TOP SIRE: COURAGE UNDER FIRE 2 WINS

TOP TRAINER: 10 RACES WITH 10 DIFFERENT TRAINERS

RESULTS FROM NZ METTROPOLITAN TROTTING CLUB'S MEETING AT ADDINGTON RACEWAY( FRIDAY )

Race 1: The Peter Jones trained EXCEL BROMAC (Falcon Seelster) Mark Jones

Race 2: The Ken and Lee Hannah trained WAIHEMO JORDAN (SUNDON) John Dunn

Race 3: The Ross Rennie trained GALATOS (COURAGE UNDER FIRE) Mitchell Kerr

Race 4: The John Howe trained INITFORFUN (CHRISTIAN CULLEN) Jim Curtin

Race 5: The Robert David trained ALMA MIA (TINTED CLOUD) Peter Davis

Race 6: The Mark Jones trained UNIQUE STAR (SUNDON) Mark Jones

Race 7: The Mark Purdon and Grant Payne trained LANCOME (COURAGE UNDER FIRE) Blair Orange