South West raiders dominate again at Belmont Park

It was another incredible showing from South West participants at Belmont Park on Saturday, with success across the card. Kyra Yuill got the ball moving with her superb ride aboard Freez’emoff in the Welcome Back To The Races Handicap (2200m), blunting Myalup duo Noir De Rue and Utgard Loki. However, the hoop’s hopes of securing an early double were dashed after she finished fifth aboard Rubychino to Seminole Brave in the Tabtouch Westspeed Platinum Maiden (1200m). Trained by her father Graham, the four-year-old was fresh from a 15-week spell and signs of a strong finish looked good early, as Yuill brought the mare to the front. Rubychino attempted to wage war on the favoured Mr Delegator along the side of the track — and into the home straight, both runners could not be split as they went stride for stride. However, with less than 250m to travel, the mare began to fade and she was passed by Seminole Brave, Western Rhythm and Rapid Transit. Despite the finish, the Yuill stable could draw plenty from the display, which was only her second unplaced run from four starts. In the Gourmet Takeaway Handicap (1200m), Yuill, riding Michael Lane’s Miss Ivy League and Myalup hoop Lucy Warwick (aboard Private Number), both had their chances to claim victory from midfield. While Warwick had to forge a path behind Lasting Impact, Miss Ivy League was in the race up to her eyeballs, purring on brilliantly heading into the home straight. With the pace genuine, proceedings cranked up a notch and Lane’s filly finally got her nose in front after working tirelessly to get there. However, to the two-year-old’s right was a gaping hole, which was quickly filled by Reign Of Fire, who glided home by 4.8 lengths. Miss Ivy League came home in fourth, with Private Number seventh. Lane’s exciting gelding Resortman was heavily backed heading into the Heineken 3 Handicap (1400m), however finished fourth. In the feature Raconteur Stakes (1400m), highly-touted filly Kay Cee charged home from fifth to edge out Laverrod, with her first-up triumph yet another indication she could be destined for greater things.