Golden run for Lady Lark at Ipswich

Tough filly Lady Lark has recorded another first for her sire Golden Archer with her victory in the Three-Year-Old Plate at Ipswich.

Lady Lark was the first winner for Golden Archer when she won as a two-year-old at Eagle Farm in January and she is now the first of his three-year-olds to win.

Despite being caught three deep most of the way in a field of five for Wednesday’s 1666m-race, Lady Lark ($1.90) was far too strong at the finish.

Trainer Desleigh Forster is on a holiday in Fiji but said by phone she had always thought Lady Lark would be strong at 1600m.

“She really is a tough little thing. That was her 11th start since January and she just keeps trying in her races,” Forster said.

Basil Nolan, who stands Golden Archer at Raheen Stud and also owns the filly, said he expected big things from the multiple stakes winning sire this season.

“Golden Archer was Queensland’s leading first season sire last season and we have about a dozen of his two-year-olds for the Ready to Run sales next month so keep an eye out for them,” he said.

Last season’s leading jockey and trainer at Ipswich, Jim Byrne and Tony Gollan combined to produce a promising winner in Capital Connection ($1.95) in the Class 2 (1200m).

“He has two wins and two seconds from his four starts but really he could be unbeaten. I am sure he will win in Saturday class and can go even higher than that,” Gollan said.

“Bloodstock agent John Foote got him for $105,000 and syndicated him. John who is highly respected really likes the family on her dam’s side.”

Another promising galloper, Lets Party Marty, is likely to be spelled after being run down on the line by King Red ($26) in the Class 3 (1350m).

On a day of upsets, Lets Party Marty ($1.40) was the fourth short-priced favourite to run second for the day when King Red stormed home from last to win.

Former Hong Kong galloper Punkenstein ($41) shocked even his trainer Darlene Dureya when he relegated She Sees Everything ($2) into second in a maiden (1350m).

“He just didn’t like life in Hong Kong and has been back here for a while. He has had two trials but I thought he would have needed further and a wet track,” Duryea said.