Friarandice wins thrilling Bracelet finish

Friarandice continued her brilliant campaign, taking out the $35,000 Dowsetts Automotive Services Golden Bracelet (1600m) at Percy Spencer Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, to make it three wins in five starts.

Prepared by Boyanup trainer Michael Lane, Friarandice won two races in Bunbury in the lead-up to the fillies and mares feature race in Albany and with champion jockey William Pike in the saddle started a raging $2.10 favourite.

The five-year-old overcame barrier nine to settle midfield in running before Pike pounced on his rivals as the field swept around the home corner, shooting to the front and then holding off the fast-finishing Chhaya by a long neck on the line.

Lane, who bred Friarandice, said the 1600m was his only concern heading into the race.

“It was in the back of my mind coming here, she was going nicely in her classes,” Lane said.

“I was a little bit worried about the mile but she ran second to Like A Butterfly in Pinjarra over a mile and we’ve seen what she has gone on and done.

“We bred her ourselves, so it’s very pleasing to win a race like this with her.

“Willie doesn’t need me to praise him, he’s just a gun and my eyes lit up when I saw he was coming, we were lucky to get him on.”

It was the first time Lane and Pike have won the Golden Bracelet, which began in 2003.

Friarandice has now won five of 26 starts and the Blackfriars mare is set for a crack at a graduation race at Ascot now according to Lane.

Albany galloper Canna Lily finished in third place for trainer Neil Lee while the Steve Wolfe-trained Poldark’s Girl flew home from ninth on the turn to grab fill fourth place.

Albany trainer Liam O’Loughlin couldn’t make it three straight wins in the Bracelet after last year’s winner Prix D’Excellence led before fading to finish sixth and then unfortunately passed away following the race.