Step closer to successful title defence

COMPLETING a clean sweep of last season’s New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge, Madrid is on target to repeat the dose judging by her victory at Club Menangle tonight.

A heat winner at the world class venue a fortnight ago, Madrid produced an impressive performance to capture a semi for trainer Jarrod Alchin.

With Cameron Hart holding the reins, the Australian Pacing Gold purchase led throughout from barrier three to account for Ideal In Dreams and Miss Ex.

Pleased with the filly’s effort, Alchin is positive Madrid can add next week’s Group One decider to her impressive tally of 12 wins and four placings from 18 starts.

“That run will do her the world of good,” Alchin said. “She’s only had a handful of starts back from a spell and I’ve been keeping her ticking along quietly knowing I didn’t want her peaking too early.

“Everything has gone along perfectly with her and she will be right at her top for the Final.”

Never fully extended, the three-year-old covered the mile in 1:51.8, with her time three-tenths of a second quicker than Steno in the opening qualifier.

Working to the lead from barrier four, Steno was eased down towards the finish as she scored by four metres from Captn Me.

Pas De Cheval was five metres away third.

Trained by Cameron Ross, the exceptionally-bred filly took her record to nine wins and seven placings from 18 starts.

By Sweet Lou, Steno is from quadruple Group One winner, Lady Waratah.