SOME of the state’s best two-year-old fillies stepped out in a prelude of the Betfair Sweepstakes over 1609 metres at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart last night (Wednesday) with a rank outsider emerging as a genuine contender for next week’s final.
Gracie Grant stormed home from last to score an effortless win against most of the field that is likely to contest the final on Sunday week.
The Robert Woods-trained filly by Presidential Ball from former smart juvenile Flora Grant that has produced five foals and all are winners.
Gracie Grant went into the race with only one run to her credit, a fourth on the tight circular Burnie track that she didn’t appreciate.
With Rohan Hadley in the sulky, Gracie Grant stepped cleanly fro the mobile from her outside front row draw but was immediately restrained to settle last.
The filly was still last and three-wide approaching the home turn.
But when Hadley called on his charge for the big effort in the home straight she swept past her rivals with consummate ease to score from Cloudy Delight with Our Gypsy Rose third and just in advance of the heavily backed Play Apple Tree.
Listen to what trainer-breeder Robert Woods had to say about Gracie Grant’s impressive Sweepstakes Prelude win – click here.