The Rainbow Connection Stakes

A five furlong turf Stakes race for statebred fillies and mares.

This was going to be a fast a furious contest and as the 6 runners broke from the gates there wasn’t going to be any surprises as far as pace was going to go. Rain Of Arrows flew out with Claustrophobic from the outside matching her start and these two got clear enough to find the rail well before the turn. Mars Attacks held the rail in third just a length in front of the favourite Know How who was in a great position in fourth. Foggy Friday and the fancied Miss Taylor were caught flat footed and trailed the field.

After two furlongs and approaching the bend the lead remained unchanged with Know How making stealthy headway to sit a stalking third, Mars attacks was next on the rail and the jockeys were getting serious with the slow starters.

With two to run Know How was still yet to make her move but the two leaders weren’t stopping and the only significant thing happening behind was that Miss Taylor had started to eat up the ground and although still last was gaining quickly.

Entering the straight with one and a half to go the jockey on Know How let out some rein and she began to haul in the leaders. Miss Taylor was still six back and now four wide but was making headway hand over fist. Of the two leaders Rain Of Arrows looked the strongest and still held the lead but Claustrophobic was beginning to waiver a little. Mars Attacks and Foggy Friday were falling away.

Inside the final furlong and Know How had got to the front from Claustrophobic who was rallying really gamely and had fought off Rain Of Arrows who hit the wall. Miss Taylor was still flying but with a half to run still had two lengths to make up.

Inside the distance Know How just had to hang on and that she did although Miss Taylor was going so fast that she passed her just a few strides after the line but lost the race by a head. Claustrophobic had run a cracker in third and Rain Of arrows had enough of a break to hold fourth. Foggy Friday was a disappointing fifth and Mars Attacks was outclassed in last.

The winner Know How is owned by Australia Wide who trained this super little filly for her ninth win from eleven starts. She has been progressing slowly through the ranks but this was her breakthrough race and she looks fast enough to make her mark in stakes grade from now on. The runner up Miss Taylor from Dandy Dan Stables ran the race of her life in second coming from absolutely nowhere to very nearly win. Claustrophobic was a game third for Dynark Stables and ran a lot better than her odds suggested.