For Dear Life

July 18th, 2008 by Amanda Rando

Astute horseman Wayne Honan has received an ideal draw with his smart youngster For Dear Life in Sunday's New South Wales Breeders' Challenge Final at Menangle.

The daughter of Life Sign, which has notable fast gate speed, has barrier two for the Group One.

Honan was quite happy to say the least.

"Well, it's not a bad draw," Honan said. "It's pretty good in fact.

"One of the main dangers, Ima Spicey Lombo, has drawn out wide, which suits me even better.

"It's a strong race, and in these types of races, all horses have an equal chance of winning."

For Dear Life won her heat with ease at Menangle last week, leading throughout in 1:57.6.

The quarters were put together in 27.9, 32.4, 30.5 and a blistering 26.7 seconds.

The filly then won an Australasian Breeders' Crown heat at Menangle earlier this week.

After sitting parked for the 2300-metre journey, For Dear Life rolled away from her rivals to register a five-metre triumph.

The mile rate was a modest 2:02.6, but Honan is not sure how For Dear Life will back up.

"I'm not sure how she will handle it because she has never had to back up that quickly before, but we'll see on Sunday," Honan stated.

"Some of the horses will be in the same boat.

"I would have preferred to give her a little bit of extra time, but if you want to be in these sorts of races you have to contend with this system."

The Canowindra mentor has had plenty of experience preparing juveniles for big races.

Taking a look through For Dear Life's family, Honan prepared her half-sister Petousa to win an Australasian Breeders' Crown heat.

Honan also prepared For Dear Life's half-brother, Flightpath, when he captured the Australasian Breeders' Crown Final as a two-year-old.

During the mid '90s, Honan also had success with Express Post in a New South Wales Sires' Stake Two-Year-Old Fillies' Final.

Express Post is the dam of For Dear Life.

Other fillies to line up in the $125,000 feature include the Anthony Mabbott-trained Armbro Albertina, which has drawn the pole.

The daughter of Armbro Operative came from behind to win her heat in 1:59.1.

The Paul Fitzpatrick-trained Ima Spicey Lombo has drawn barrier seven, with Fitzpatrick's son, Blake, to take the drive.

This year's NSW Sires' Stake runner-up, Jennaleigh, will start from gate four.

The Philip Turner-trained and driven filly ran third in an Australasian Breeders' Crown heat at Menangle last Tuesday.