Aardiebytheseaside (NZ) Leads Domination of The Nullabor Card by Graduates

Aardiebytheseaside (NZ) (Downbytheseaside) announced her Australian arrival in the best possible style when speeding to victory in the A$75,000 Group Two Empress Stakes (2536m) on a big night of racing at Gloucester Park.

The New Zealand bred impressed in her first start since heading to Western Australia with a classy win on a huge night of harness racing dominated by NZB Standardbred graduates.

Aardiebytheseaside was secured by Mike Tanev’s Razer Ridge Farm for just $1500 when she was offered at the 2020 All Age Sale by breeder-vendors Woodlands Stud.

Leading West Australian trainers Greg and Skye Bond recently bought into the classy mare following her win in the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2600m) in December.

The four-year-old was having her first start in Australia and since her Group One triumph at Addington and she announced what a force she will be in Perth with her powerful win.

Though the Empress Stakes was run at an electric tempo, Aardiebytheseaside felt like she was cruising throughout according to driver Deni Roberts.

“She is pretty exciting,” Roberts said.

“The quarters popped up on the board and it didn’t feel like we were running like that at all.”

“She covers the ground – she is such a big mare but she felt pretty cruisy.”

Having raced predominantly at the big Addington circuit, Aardiebytheseaside was having her first start on an 800m track in her Gloucester Park debut.

The scary news for her upcoming rivals is that the mare will only get better when she gets more experience at Perth’s premier harness racing track.

“We took her to a trial to a small track to make sure we had everything right with her,” Roberts said.

“I think she will get better, she just needs some practice getting around the smaller circuits.”

“But I was pretty happy with how she tracked tonight.”

NZB Standardbred graduates were a dominant force at Gloucester Park on a premier night of harness racing.

State Of Heaven (NZ) (Rock N Roll Heaven) started the winning run before El Chema (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) cleared out from his rivals for an easy win.

Mister Smartee (NZ) (Always B Miki) then justified his red hot favouritism before The Black Flash (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) headed a quinella of NZB Standardbred graduates when holding out a nice challenge from Skylou (NZ) (Sweet Lou)

You Fly With Me (NZ) (Somebeachsomewhere) rounded out a huge night for horses who have passed through the NZB Standardbred sales ring when he sped to victory.

His victory made it six wins for NZB Standardbred graduates at the premier Perth meeting.

Photo: PacePix/ GloucesterPark