CELESTIAL HARBOUR SNARES HER THIRD CAREER WIN BY THE NARROWEST OF MARGINS

By Graham Potter | Monday, August 5, 2024

Celestial Harbour claimed her third career win when taking out a Class 2 Handicap over 1400m at Dalby on August 5.

The Corey and Kylie Geran trained mare came into the race with a bit of a mixed formline, but her best effort in those recent run of results (a close up second place in a Class 3 Handicap over 1200m) seemed enough to put her right in the race here, a fact that was reflected in the betting where she started third favourite at $3.90.

Celestial Harbour jumped well enough from her wide barrier (draw eight out of nine) but Landan Sykes then eased his mount back and the five-year-old daughter of I Am Invincible actually raced at the rear of the field from the 1200m to the 450m mark.

She was always travelling comfortably though, and the Geran trained runner started a forward move, racing all of five wide, approaching the home turn … and then was seven wide, but still improving, on straightening.

Given the route she had taken, the 1400m was more like a 1600m trip now and when Dark Chill (the $3.70 second favourite) set sail for home at the head of affairs coming through the 200m, the pressure was on Celestial Harbour, who was having her first run beyond 1200m, to see out every inch of the trip if she was to run her rival down.

A three-length deficit was reduced with each passing stride by Celestial Harbour, with Landan Sykes’ 2kg claim proving its worth in a tight chase that ultimately translated into a last gasp, last stride victory for Celestial Harbour, snared by the narrowest of margins.

More articles