Eternal Flame (+320) has finally received some luck for the this campaign as she claimed the Group 3 Matron Stakes in the final event at Flemington.
Damian Lane gave the four-year-old mare a prefect ride from barrier nine, getting her into a nice spot behind the speed before allowing the daughter of Sacred Falls to work through her gears in the final 300m.
After Running By (+380) took over from the tiring leader, the Mick Kent-trained mare starting to lay in slightly but when Lane switched the whip into his left hand, she straightened and let down with a very strong finish to win the 1600m contest.
Running By was very good and finished second in her just her second run in Group 3 grade, while Foxy Cleopatra (+450) produced another solid run from the back of the field to claim another placing this preparation.
2024 Matron Stakes Replay – Eternal Flame
Mick Kent was on track to speak about the win post-race.
“She’s been very stiff. I didn’t want to be here because I thought we’d have black type by now and we might have gone to Sydney,” Kent said.
“We were desperate to get it and she possibly should have won three stakes races by now.
“We like her a lot and she’s still got a bit more to come.
“We might ease up on her and head to the spring now.
“She’s still got two or three inches to grow and these mares get better with age.”
After riding Young Werther to victory earlier in the day, Damian Lane brought up a riding double after his win on Eternal Flame.
“We were mindful that we didn’t want to work forward at the mile into the breeze so I came out neutral and a spot presented itself so I ended up rolling forward and taking up that spot.
“We went out with an open mindset and it was great that that was able to eventuate and we were able to have a prominent role.
“I thought the tempo was good throughout and I thought that was ideal but Running By left me off the bridle there on straightening and I was unsure whether I was going to be able to pick up and reel them in.
“To her credit her last 150 metres was her best.”
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