Limbo "spot on" for Breeders Challenge Regional heat

Jed Betts with Limbo Lilly. Photo by Bathurst HRC.

THERE have been some eye-catching runs throughout this year’s New South Wales Breeders Challenge series, none more than the performance by the Jed Betts-trained Limbo Lilly in the Blue Final at Tabcorp Park Menangle on November 12. 

The daughter of Shoobees Place sat midfield until rounding the home turn before unleashing a barnstorming run to finish second, only failing by three metres to peg back the talented Saveeon. 

For Betts, it was the highlight of his career to date and gave him a great thrill and a lot of satisfaction that his filly could finish so close in a Group 1 feature. 

Purchased at the 2021 Bathurst Gold Crown Yearling Sales for $11,500, Limbo Lilly is owned and trained by Jed, who was also in the gig.

Tonight at Bathurst, Limbo Lilly will attempt to qualify for another feature final when she contests a heat of the New South Wales Breeders Challenge Regional series.

And Betts believes his filly is spot-on for her assignment this evening. 

“She is ready to go,” he said.

“It is a small field with some nice fillies in it. 

“But I am confident that Lilly will be right there with them at the finish.

“Her run in the Breeders Blue final was outstanding and gave me a massive thrill.

 “She has always shown the ability to do what she did at Menangle, and I was so pleased that she stepped up to the challenge.

“The filly just caught my eye at the yearling sales and her dam had a good record for producing some nice horses.

“All I can hope for now is that this girl can continue to step up to the mark.”

It will be a busy time for the Bathurst club tonight hosting a strong 12-race program, highlighted by four heats of the Breeders Challenge Regional series, three heats of the Bathurst RSL Club Soldiers Saddle and a heat of the Club Menangle Waratah series. 

The hardest for Limbo Lilly to beat in her heat is likely to be the Jake Davis-trained Studleigh Melise, which will benefit form the services of Amanda Turnbull, who takes the reins tonight.

In the other fillies’ heat, Sporty Mary, which is trained and driven by Mark Hewitt, is a youngster on the rise that caught the eye with a fast-finishing second at Bathurst last start.