Canterbury trainer Craig Roberts’ kennels are in a run of solid form as seen when producing the winner and third-place getter in the $7,500 Flair Ladies Bracelet last Thursday evening.

Pictured: Mina Allen winning the Flair Ladies Bracelet (pic Dave Robbie)

The Christchurch hosted Flair Ladies Bracelet is a time honoured event, annually sponsored by the Canterbury based Flair group, raced over 520m at the Addington Raceway.

Cawbourne Kristy led out for Roberts, with the John McInerney trained Homebush Flame in early attendance being handy to the pace. Pushing forward when heading into the first turn was the other Roberts prepared contender Mina Allen.

Racing down the back it was the kennel mates who broke clear of the field with Mina Allen looming up to displace her kennel mate as the race leader when heading into the final turn. She extended strongly during the run home to claim her feature race victory by an easy 3.35 lengths, clocking 30.50s.

The battle was on for the minor portion of the stakes which saw the Dave and Jean Fahey mentored Opawa Racer finish powerfully from a fair way back to claim the second prize by a neck margin over a tiring Cawbourne Kristy. Know Jinx extended nicely during the run for her fourth placing a further 2.25 lengths behind.

It was a deserved feature race win for Mina Allen, who had previously finished third in a heat of the Plasterboard Ltd Auckland Cup. “I was confident about Mina Allen going into the race. She had race fitness and strength on her side. Providing she wasn’t flattened by the run, I expect Cawbourne Kristy to be improved from the race. Her condition gave out late after missing an important lead in trial,” said Roberts.

He added, “Both girls can go north to Cambridge now to contest the Lois Henley Memorial Trophy ($15,000 Group 2 invitation over 457m on April 13). Mina Allen will trek up there as the winner of her nine races. She has been placed on another 17 occasions which see her stake earnings sitting at $26,225 after her 53 career races for her Sydney-based owner Jan Wheeler.
 

Mina Allen following her Flair Ladies Bracelet victory; the full Flair Ladies Bracelet post-race podium with representatives for the Flair racing group in attendance - pics supplied by Dave Robbie - drobbie@ihug.co.nz – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos

By Peter Fenemor