TALENTED Tasmanian harness racing trainer Paul Hill declared it mission accomplished when his brilliant filly Chica Bella recorded an effortless all-the-way win in the final of the $30,000 Evicus Stakes at UBET Park Hobart last night.
Chica Bella went onto the race on the back of a loss to another locally bred filly but Victorian-trained After Lunch that led throughout to win the Evicus Prelude 13 days earlier.
But punters had faith in Hill’s filly by sending her around favourite and she never let them down.
Chica Bella showed her class by crossing from near the outside of the front line and reeled off a slick first quarter while After Lunch aced the breeze.
The pair matched motors to the home turn but that’s when driver Duggan called on Chica Bella for the supreme effort and she responded magnificently.
Chica Bella (Cardmaster Hanover-Time Moves On) forged clear and had plenty in hand to defeat outsider Tambros Milly ($101) with After Lunch fading to finish third just ahead of Itz Gemmas delight.
She was heavily backed to start the $1.80 favourite ahead of After Lunch that drifted from odds-on to start the second elect at $2.20.
The winner clocked a mile rate of 1.58.7 with her first half (800m) run in 58.67.
Listen to what trainer Paul Hill had to say about Chica Bella’s win.