ECHUCA trained trotter Aldebaran Poppy claimed a $10,000 heat of the Aldebaran Park Vicbred Platinum Trotting Mares Sprint Championship series in completing a hat-trick of wins on Wednesday night at Geelong.
A 9/1 chance driven by top reinsman Greg Sugars, Aldebaran Poppy prevailed with a strong finishing burst, edging out the Merrigum trained Lexington Queen by a neck in the 1609m dash.
Aldebaran Poppy ended 2020 with a win at Shepparton on December 28 and started the new year in the same vain, scoring at the Swan Hill meeting on January 5 before tackling Wednesday night’s assignment.
All-round Echuca horseman Wayne Lear prepares and with family members has ownership interests in the seven-year-old Skyvalley mare which has now won seven of 45 starts with 10 minor placings.
Her latest win books her a spot in the $30,000 final of the Mares Sprint Championship on Great Southern Star night at Melton on February 5.