Race: Western Light beaten but still on target for Queensland
MELBOURNE, Aug 18 AAP - Western Light may have been beaten at Bendigo last night butit hasn't deterred trainer-driver Neville Clarke to take his stable star north to defendhis Winter Cup crown in Queensland.
Clarke said he was very pleased with the performance of Western Light who failed bya short head to hold out the fast-finishing Pass The Mustard.
He said Western Light did a good job as he was three deep from the 1200 metres whilePass The Mustard enjoyed a lovely trail on his back.
Western Light shot to the front in the straight but was claimed by Pass The Mustardin the last stride.
"I think he's going as well if not better than he was last year," Clarke said.
Western Light won the Winter Cup last year and Clarke has that race again in his sights.
Clarke said he planned to run Western Light in the Sunshine Sprint next week at AlbionPark as his final lead up to the $75,000 Winter Cup at Albion Park on August 31.
Western Light will clash with the likes of Manifold Bay who impressed with his winin the Queensland four and five-year-old championships at Albion Park last night and Atitagain,winner of the Redcliffe Cup earlier this month.
Clarke stayed in Bendigo overnight before beginning the long float trip to Brisbane.
Meanwhile Mario Azzopardi confirmed he will again drive Sassy Sarah in next Saturday'sBreeders Crown final at Moonee Valley.
Azzopardi said he had discussions with the filly's owners and it was decided he wouldcontinue to drive Sassy Sarah until Gavin Lang returned from suspension.
Sassy Sarah finished second behind Indigenous at Cranbourne in a breeders semi-finalon Friday night after enduring a torrid run after she worked hard to find the front.
Azzopardi said Sassy Sarah became fired up after a false start and when a couple ofhorses came back in front of her after the start she really became fiery.
"I thought she might relax if I took her round the field to sit outside the leaderbut she was still ripping and tearing so I had to keep going," he said.
When asked if he could turn the tables on Indigenous in the final, Azzopardi repliedit all depended on the barrier draw.
"If she draws to lead then I don't see how they'll beat her."
AAP TURF wk/cw
KEYWORD: TROTS WESTERN
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