2023 SA ST LEGER FINAL – REVIEW
The time-honoured SA St Leger was conducted last night at Angle Park in warm conditions where another outstanding performance was produced in the age-restricted classic. Queen Of Scotch for Tony Rasmussen continued on her winning way taking out the feature in brilliant fashion when she was able to lead throughout for a strong win.
The daughter of Hooked On Scotch and Neytiri Queen started as second favourite with heavy support for Victorian visitor, Xoie Bale for trainer Robert Camilleri who was backed into favouritism as they lined up for the feature event.
As the start was affected Queen Of Scotch flew out from box 2 to lead easily and moved to the middle of the track giving plenty of room to Xoie Bale who began well from box 4 and drove to the inside along with Bernardo Bowl for Tony Rasmussen from the 6. Both Springvale Dave for Mike Giniotis and Spring Honour for Greg Board looked for positions just in behind the lead division. Strong types Could Be King for Ben Rawlings and Yarramundi Paul for Vadim Roz both were only fair away and settled at the tail of the field. Out of the front straight and Queen Of Scotch was in the lead and giving plenty of room to her inside for Xoie Bale to move through and challenge strongly. Just in behind was Bernardo Bowl with Victa Tony for Tony Rasmussen making good ground to his inside while Spring Honour was out three wide. Down the back straight and Queen Of Scotch gained a slight advantage however Xoie Bale who kept coming on the inside with Victa Tony, Bernanrdo Bowl and Spring Honour battling out third. Off the back straight Queen Of Scotch shook of the challenge of Xoie Bale and strode away from her rivals, Xoie Bale was holding second as Victa Tony moved to a clear third. From a long way back Yarramundi Paul after finding plenty of traffic was beginning to run home strongly looking a slim place chance. Into the front straight and whilst using plenty of the track Queen Of Scotch was clear of Xoie Bale going onto win by 2.25 lengths in a flying 30.33 for the 530m journey in a brilliant display of speed and stamina. Xoie Bale was a clear second almost 5 lengths ahead of third which was a dead heat between Victa Tony and Yarramundi Paul which sprouted wings in the final straight.
Queen Of Scotch is locally owned by Brett Gaspari who also had Bernando Bowl in the final with Queen Of Scotch now having won 14 races from her 31 starts and 5 placings with career prizemoney just over $33,000.
Further Information:
Shaun Mathieson
(08) 8243 7100
Racing Manager
Greyhound Racing SA