The Joseph Pride-trained Lekvarte ($9.00) has produced a withering burst to claim the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, defying a savage drift with online racing betting sites.
The daughter of Reliable Man was second-up after a strong performance in the Group 2 Golden Pendant (1400m) on September 28, but was unwanted in betting, opening as short as $4.80 post-barrier draw before drifting to $9.00 at the jump.
Joshua Parr produced a confident steer aboard the six-year-old mare, dragging back towards the rear of the field in the early stages from barrier 14, giving her a chance to go through her gears and get the last crack at her rivals.
Zac Lloyd aboard Unique Ambition ($12.00) was set alight turning for home, with the last-start winner giving a bold sight in the final 400m, while Quickster ($8.00) looked to be travelling best when getting clear under Jamie Kah.
Lekvarte and well-supported favourite Hinged ($3.60) both made their runs down the centre of the course, but with Lekvarte going two to their one in the concluding stages, there was only one horse you wanted to be on as the ever-consistent mare stormed away with the prize.
2024 Angst Stakes replay – Lekvarte
Pride was on course to discuss the victory and didn’t rule out a trip to Melbourne for the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).
“She’s a lovely mare and always has been,” said Pride.
“It has taken her a little while to get to Stakes grade but as an older mare the way she’s racing now you’d love to think there’s another season in her.
“She’s a really easy horse to deal with, quite aggressive but she’s a dream to train and she loves this Randwick mile.
“There’s a fair few things to consider. Probably a trip to Melbourne, it’s only a couple of weeks away from the Group 1 for the mares and I’d probably like to give her a go at that, to be fair.
“Whether or not she’s quite at that level, I’m not sure, but there’s a lot of other races that some of these horses are going to, there’s a bit to consider but it’s a good chance she’ll be at Flemington (for the Empire Rose Stakes).”
Joshua Parr was elated with the win and gave a good account of his talented mare.
“She’ s electric, isn’t she, when she can get clear air like that,” said Parr.
“Held up slightly and really let rip, so it was beautiful today.
“Obviously we didn’t have any speed earlier. I sort of planned to have three, maybe four behind me in the run, but it didn’t work out.
“But she was there for me at the finish, and as Timmy Clark and I say, find a way.
“I was really keen with how she went first-up in the progression she made, just seeing her here in the yard. But she’s had a really strong blow there today, so she’s still on the improve.”
Lekvarte is now a $15.00 chance in futures markets with horse racing bookmakers for the 2024 Empire Rose on November 2.
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