Aardie’s Express (NZ) Declares Superstar Status in Brilliant QE2 Mile Win

Aardie’s Express (NZ) (Always B Miki) declared she is Australasia’s best pacing mare with her brilliant win in the A$200,000 Queen Elizabeth II Mile (1609m) at Menangle on Saturday night.

The talented New Zealand-bred exploded home from off the pace to down an outstanding field to win Australia’s best mares race for trainer-driver Jack Trainor.

Aardies Express was secured by owner Mike Tanev for $30,500 when she was offered on NZB Standardbred’s online platform standardbred.gavelhouse.com as a yearling.

Already an open class star in New Zealand, Aardie’s Express dominated the Queen Elizabeth II Mile in just her second start across the Tasman.

After her stunning display, Trainor was full of praise for his Gavehouse graduate.

“It was some sort of win, she’s a beast this mare,’ the trainer-driver said.

Aardies Express won a brilliant 1.49.9 time despite racing three-wide throughout the feature event.

The mare gave Australian favourite Ladies In Red (AUS) (Mach Three) a big head-start at the top of the straight, chasing her down with a brilliant burst of speed.

“When I looked up at the top of the straight and saw how far in front Ladies In Red was, I thought it would be almost impossible for us.”
“But she really exploded when I asked her and then just kept chasing the leader.”

The stunning victory handed Trainor his fourth consecutive win in the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Mile.

The Menangle trainer has produced each of his wins with a New Zealand breds.

NZB Standardbred graduate Braeview Kelly (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) won the race last year.

“I’ve some owners to thank back in NZ for keeping on sending me top mares like this,” Trainor said.

Illavabubbles (NZ) (Always B Miki) set a hectic early pace, before being held up in the run home and running on late for a game third placing for trainer Jason Grimson and driver Chloe Formosa.

Aardie’s Express and her fellow NZB Standardbred graduates are likely to target the A$150,000 Group One The Golden Girl (1609m) at the upcoming Constellations Carnival in Brisbane in July.