The Sunday Wrap

Sunday, 22 February 2009 00:00

Conquering etched his name in Tasmanian racing folklore after winning the $100,000 Listed George Adams Plate (1600m) this afternoon at Launceston.

Beginning quickly from barrier four, Conquering dictated terms to suit himself in front with his main danger Scenic Silver settling in second position two lengths away from the leader.

Conquering led into the straight and kicked away from Scenic Silver with Uzigal and Life To The Full making solid ground when the race was all over.

In the run to the line, Conquering ($1.80 fav) defeated Uzigal ($47) by three and a quarter lengths with Scenic Silver ($2.90) a further nose back in third.

Conquering has now won 19 races from 53 starts, taking his prizemoney to $692,150. His five consecutive wins this preparation have all come at weight-for-age over the Tasmanian Summer Carnival.

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Marchelle Belle continued the good fortune for the tote elect at Launceston, after winning this afternoon's Listed PFD Tasmanian Oaks (2100m).

Like Conquering, Marchelle Belle ($1.70 fav) with Dwayne Dunn aboard went straight to the front and accelerated quickly on the home turn to defeat Cabazon ($3.50) by half a length with in third Speedy Sky ($23).

Pictured above winning last month at Moonee Valley with Dunn in the saddle, it was a relatively easy win for the Lee Freedman trained galloper who is unbeaten from five starts this preparation.

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Lyell became the third topweight that led to win the other feature race at Launceston today, the $50,000 Veolia Classic (1200m) for three year olds.

After winning the Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) last start, Lyell ($6) managed to handle the drop in distance to stave off the late challenge of Testamarriage ($10) and Go Ali Go ($7).

Lyell has five wins and four placings from 12 starts taking his prizemoney to $137,765.

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Meanwhile, Kevin Sweeney had a day to remember at Canberra after riding five winners which included all the three feature races on the program.

Sweeney partnered Moorings Mate ($11) to victory in the AAMI Lighting Ridge Handicap announcing himself as the one to beat in the Listed Black Opal Stakes.

The two year old race is worth $250,000 in prizemoney with $162,500 going to the winner.

Freetoair ($5) won the three year old handicap over 1400m and Sweeney is likely to partner the galloper in the $100,000 Canberra Guineas (1400m) in a fortnight's time.

Sweeney then rode Bacchanal Woman ($3.60 fav) to a last gasp victory in the Burley Griffin Quality (1200m).

Bacchanal Woman is now exempt from the ballot for the Listed National Sprint (1400m) and is sure to be a main contender in that feature sprint.

The Black Opal, National Sprint and Canberra Guineas will all be held at Canberra on March 8.

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Michelle Payne continued her winning ways with a quartet at Yarra Valley this afternoon. 

Payne, 23, who was chasing her first Group 1 winner on Rose Darmore yesterday, made amends for her defeat in the Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) by steering the Chris Manson trained Soserio ($3.50 fav) to victory by three and a half lengths

There was no time to dwell on her success with Payne also partnering Serious Coin ($5.50) in Race 3 and Metung Ruby ($4.40) in Race 4. 

Payne then capped off a remarkable afternoon by guiding topweight Amelijo ($3.60 fav) first past the post in the final event on the program. 

The leading female rider since Friday night at Moonee Valley has won five of her last eleven rides. 

All eight races at Yarra Valley today were maiden races which ensured all races were keenly contested and attracted large fields. 

Pics: Fiona Tomlin, Quentin Lang & Sportpix