Lagoon Lowanna Lights Up Ladies Bracelet
Sharron Webster has described Lagoon Lowanna's victory in the Group Three Ladies Bracelet final as “Unbelievable and so so exciting”, after the pint sized speedster was too strong for the classy field on Saturday night when claiming the $25,000 winner's cheque.
Named ‘Lagoon' for Ray and Sharron Webster's street address and ‘Lowanna' meaning Black Beauty in some Aboriginal languages, Webster was quietly confident going into the event thinking that her chaser had a good chance however knowing that she would have to begin well to threaten her competitors. And she did. Spearing the lids in a quick 5.43 seconds, the daughter of Where's Pedro and Lagoon Smylee matched strides with the Ruth Matic trained My Sweet Love in the early stages before crossing to the rails to take up the lead on the first turn.
“She didn't begin as well as she has been, she can do 5.29(seconds) but she pushed through” Webster said. “I was in the catching pen so I couldn't see properly but I thought she was up there. When she was in front at the first turn I couldn't believe it”.
From there the race was over as Lagoon Lowanna set up a big margin down the back, courtesy of a sensational second section. Turning for home clear she stretched out to claim the event by four and a half lengths on the line in a slick 29.98 seconds.
Running into second place was Kenneth Staines consistent Montana Izmir whilst Xylia Allen ran a fantastic race for Graeme Bate filling the trifecta after being forced wide and turned sideways on the first turn. Race favourite Purcell Bale found nothing but trouble after her average beginning and chased most of the field home to finish in seventh placing.
The triumph was Lagoon Lowanna's nineteenth success from 45 starts and her sixth win at the Ultimo Circuit whilst for both Webster and Lagoon Lowanna it was their first taste of victory at group race level.
The win was also sentimental for Webster, with the race sponsor, Alan Evans a family friend of the Webster's, “Alan Evans has been a mate of my family for as long as I can remember so to win a race sponsored by him was really special to me and I couldn't be happier”.
As for what comes next for the 28 kilogram speed machine, Webster will be making an interstate journey in search of further group glory aimed first of all at the Sapphire Crown heats to be held at Sandown Park this Thursday. Drawn in box three in heat one, the dynamo comes across a tricky field consisting of Jason Mackay's superstar Sometimes Speedy, Jason Thompson's El Brooklyn and Purcell Bale for Graeme Bate who will be looking to bounce back after her defeat in the Bracelet final.
Although Lagoon Lowanna has seen the track before which is an advantage, she hasn't had much success at the venue, “She hasn't done much at Sandown but she was a different bitch then and as she gets older she is getting better. She is up against Victorian dogs that are brilliant but she is a brilliant bitch too”.
Although preferring to draw out wide, Lagoon Lowanna is certainly capable of shaking things up down south, “I think she can do it but anything can happen in a race and I just want her to get around safe”.
With their next goal just a few days away, the Webster's are in for a busy week. With the kennel star primed to fire, it would be fantastic if she is able to take out another feature event. Whatever happens- Win lose or draw, Lagoon Lowanna has earned herself a special place in the heart of her owner/trainer, “She is very special to me, she is my little girl” and despite being three and a half years old she is racing in career best form and looks set to have plenty more success ahead of her before motherhood beckons.