By Jordyn Bublitz
Arna Donnelly’s pair of juveniles announced themselves in style at Cambridge Raceway last night.
Two-year-old stablemates Critical Image and Lulana ran the quinella on debut in the Harness Hoedown Tickets On Sale 25th Sept Mobile Pace.
Donnelly purchased Critical Image, at the 2024 National Standardbred Yearling Sales. He was given a perfect steer by Zachary Butcher, enjoying a sweet trip in the one-one before pouncing late to score. Lulana, bred by long-time stable client Kevin Madgwick, did it the hard way. With James Stormont in the bike, she sat parked throughout before applying pressure over the last half, which was cut out in a scorching 56.4 seconds. Despite being nabbed late, she was game in defeat.
Donnelly was thrilled with how both handled themselves on debut.
“I thought they were both really good chances, I’d really liked the way the pair of them had been trialling and I thought they’d improve off those runs,” she said. “They were really professional considering it was their first time under the lights, it couldn’t have worked out any better.”
“They smoked that last half and the pair of them have probably never been that quick in their life.”
The win confirmed Donnelly’s high opinion of the pair. Critical Image now heads north for a tougher assignment in Heat 3 of the Woodlands Stud Sires Stakes for two-year-old colts and geldings at Alexandra Park next week, while Lulana will continue to target general juvenile races.
“Critical Image will head up to Auckland for a sire’s stakes heat next week,” Donnelly said. “The filly isn’t paid up for anything, so she’ll just poke around where there’s two-year-old races.”
Asked to compare the pair, Donnelly admitted it wasn’t easy.
“Lulana was the run of the race last night and the other guy got the good trip. They’re both going to improve and win races, so I couldn’t say there’s much between them.”
The stable’s night didn’t end there, with veteran pacer Baileys Pitch also saluting in the Blokes Night In The Skyline Lounge 18th Sept Mobile Pace. With Arna’s stable junior driver Kate Coppins in the bike, the win was particularly satisfying.
“He’s a great old horse, he’s actually our galloping pacemaker,” Donnelly said. “It’s good for Kate too, she hasn’t had a lot of luck with him their last few starts so it’s nice for her to get the monkey off her back with him.”
