Lamia Bale breaks her Group 1 maiden in Sapphire Crown final
LAMIA Bale produced a gutsy performance in the Group 1 Sapphire Crown Final at Sandown Park on Thursday night, holding off a late challenge from strong-finisher Angie Rocks.
Exiting from box six as the $2.40 favourite, the daughter of High Earner and Maple Bale notched up her first Group 1 victory in a blistering time of 29.23 over the 515-metre distance.
The Steve Collins-trained chaser stepped well from the wide alley and took the lead heading into the first turn. Angie Rocks took advantage of an ideal rails run to sit in fourth position and made her move in the back straight.
After a gutsy last-ditch effort, Angie Rocks finished second by a head and lost no admirers with an outstanding performance. Outside runner One Dee finished six lengths away in third position.
Lamia Bale recorded her 16th win on Thursday night at start 52 and took her prize money total to $315,020.
Results – Group 1 Sapphire Crown Final – 14th May, 2015 – Sandown 515-metres
1st – Lamia Bale – Steve Collins ($100,000)
2nd – Angie Rocks – Mario Briganti ($30,000)
3rd – One Dee – Shane Taylor ($15,000)
4th – Dyna Nico – Andrea Dailly
5th – West On Delly – Jeff Britton
6th – Elfen Bale – Andrea Dailly
7th – Humming Birdhill – Rob Britton
8th – Cosmic Wise – Jeff Britton
Time: 29.23
Section 1: 5.02 (6)
Section 2: 18.73 (6)
Margins: HD x 6
Scratchings: Weblec Belle, Spring Leaf