Late Randwick scratching of Sugar Bella plays sweet for Anatola
Anatola is in a race of her way as she strolls to victory for jockey Josh Parr at Randwick.
The scratching of early favourite Sugar Bella minutes before the start has made Randwick a whole lot sweeter for Anatola.
The $5.50 second favourite had a convincing win by 1-1/4 lengths over O’Rachael ($15), with Machinegun Jubs ($6) a further 2-1/4 lengths behind.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy was taken to hospital for a suspected broken hand, sustained while trying to control Sugar Bella as the mare played up on the way to the barriers, resulting in a late scratching.
Anatola made the most of Sugar Bella’s absence, taking out the Catanach’s Handicap (1200m) on Saturday in the mare’s first win since February.
Trainer Mark Newnham was hopeful when he saw Anatola take control of the race early.
“She showed a great kick when she put a gap on them there at 250 (metres) out,” he said.
“I thought – ‘well, it’s going to take a good one to run her down from here.'”
Jockey Josh Parr said he felt confident a long way out that Anatola would be hard to beat.
“I found the front quite easily and I had a nice time in front. She pricked her ears when we found the fence,” he said.
“Full credit to the team, it’s not easy to get a mare back into form and they’ve done that.”