Victorian-trained filly Nostra Beach was the standout winner on a day of quality performances at Mowbray on Monday.
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Nostra Beach streeted her rivals in the Bandbox Prelude to score by almost 50m in 1:58.6, running her last 800m in 56.57.
The Tasmanian-bred filly settled midfield but took the lead with about 1200m to go.
Driver Sidney Van Den Brande said it was a good effort as the Emma Stewart-trained youngster was “a bit lazy in front.”
Nostra Beach was coming off an unexplained failure in a heat of the Victoria Oaks three weeks ago when she led before tiring to be beaten 56m..
“We still don’t know why she went so badly that night,” Van Den Brande said.
Nostra Beach started at $1.50 in the fixed odds market (paying $1.90 on the tote).
Stewart is scheduled to take Nostra Beach back to Victoria on Wednesday before returning for the $40,000 final on Friday week.
IZAHA led all the way to win the first Globe Derby heat in 1:59.3.
It was the colt’s first start since finishing fifth in the Tasmanian Derby five weeks earlier.
“He’s done a good job first-up without a trial or anything,” trainer-driver Todd Rattray said.
“To run the gate and finish off like he did was a top effort.”
Rattray said that Izaha had always shown good ability.
“He was a bit behind Ignatius growing up but had the speed to go with him,” the trainer said.
“He’s a better horse when he can be sat up but he can also lead and get the job done.”
MISTER LENNOX won his third consecutive Golden Mile in a three-way photo-finish.
After racing in the death, the Juanita McKenzie-trained gelding got home by a head from Rocknrollhighlight, who trailed the leader and got an inside run.
Call Her Julie, who led, was only a short half head away third.
Driver Ricky Duggan wasn’t 100 per cent sure he had won. “He stuck his head out at the right time but I thought the inside horse might have got it,” Duggan said.
Duggan also drove Mister Lennox to his 2016 Golden Mile win, with Rohan Hillier in the sulky last year.
His winning times have been 1:56.5, 1:54.5 and 1:57.5.
DUFRENSE maintained his unbeaten record this season with a tough win in the second Globe Derby heat.
Rohan Hillier sat outside the leader on the $1.60 favourite who looked set for a comfortable win when he got the better of leader Krafty Boy in the home straight.
However Tisu Spirit dived late to get within 1.3m.
Dufrense rated 2:02.2 and got home in 58.03. The well-bred gelding won only once in six starts as a two-year-old but is four from four this season.