\n 21 June 2026<\/p>\n
By Mike Love\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Canterbury Silk Road Fillies and Mares Series gets underway today, with the first of three heats, all worth $12,500, before a $25,000 final on July 10.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All heats, plus the final, will be run over 1980m at Addington.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s heat, Race 6, the Ricoh Canterbury Silk Road Fillies and Mares (Heat 1) Mob Pace (6.23pm), has drawn a field of 12, \u00a0with the current favourite Sugar Babe ($4.20FF) for Cran and Chrissie Dalgety, drawn favourably in barrier two, with Carter Dalgety to drive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Swannanoa trainer Brendon Hill has two charges in the event, and despite second row draws, Hill believes they both warrant consideration.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re both racing really well. I’m pretty happy with them. They\u2019re no superstars but they’re nice enough horses.\u201d said Hill.<\/p>\n
Ultimate Seisation, with Ricky May in the bike, has been hit hard in the market, opening at $23.00FF and is now at $13.00FF. \u00a0Third up this campaign, she was unlucky fresh up, before finishing less than two lengths from the winner second up, on a 56 second half. The two-win Ultimate Machete five-year-old mare, will need to navigate a second line draw, but does follow out Sugar Babe who will likely press forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s a bit older now and has taken a few runs to get her fitness back. Ricky\u2019s driven her a few times now. She’s really tough. She can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hill\u2019s other runner, Larissa Beaudiene ($7.50FF), will be driven by son Seth. \u00a0Like her stablemate, the one-win Bettor’s Delight three-year-old filly will need to overcome a second line draw.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHer run last week was the best she\u2019s ever gone,\u201d said Hill.<\/p>\n
Larissa Beaudiene made up a stack of ground last Friday night when running stylishly into fifth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve just changed a bit of training and a few little things with her, and she\u2019s responding well. She can do a bit of work and we\u2019ve worked out she has a bit of speed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Other chances in the event include the Bruce Negus-trained Classie Linc ($6.00FF), while the remainder of the second line would need to be considered – Lous Pinup Girl ($6.50FF) for Steve and Amanda Telfer and the Riley Harrison driven and Robert and Jenna Dunn trained, Arinitti ($10.00FF) who was super impressive when clearing maidens fresh up.<\/p>\n