Kaniana wins 2016 Merlin Garage Door Openers Group 3 $150,000 at Moonee Valley (VIC) 4yo+Mares, 1600m.
The Darren Weir-trained mare Kaniana had a good trip in eighth place, one off the rails, behind a good pace. She improved between runners coming to the home time and then came with a well-timed run to take the front at the 50m and then went on to score well.
Rocket Commander showed pace and worked from her wide barrier (11) before settling outside the leader (Antelucan). She put pressure on that runner nearing the home turn, took the lead at the 100m and the fought on well for a very good second after her early efforts.
Alaskan Rose settled back in tenth place, between runners. She went very deep rounding the home turn and then ran on nicely to take the minor placing.
The favourite Lady Le Fay raced in fifth place on the rails after starting from barrier two. She went along the rails (as the remainder of the field went wide) to challenge at the home turn. She then battled over the closing stages, after racing on what appeared to be inferior going on the rails, to finish (2.2 lengths) sixth.
