Queen step closer to coronation

STAR mare Queen Elida continued her push for the industry's greatest throne with another stylish display last night.

Successful during the opening Inter Dominion round in Newcastle last Friday, Queen Elida repeated the performance in Bathurst to remain undefeated in the Championship.

Thrilled with the trotter's efforts, trainer Brent Lilley is highly-confident Queen Elida can complete her coronation in the Final at Club Menangle on December 14.

Before then, however, the daughter of Love You will contest a third qualifier at the world class venue on Saturday night.

"She has returned to her best at the right time," Lilley said. "Her form was good going into the series, but just below her top, but she's peaked again which is great.

"I couldn't have been happier with her runs during the first two nights and just hope she can maintain it through to the Final.

"We've still got Saturday night to go, but the pressure is off to a degree as she's into the big one.

"We're yet to see the draw for the third round and obviously it would be ideal if she can go through unbeaten."

Driven by champion reinsman Chris Alford, Queen Elida led throughout from barrier four to score by seven metres from Keayang Stuka.

Completing a Victorian trifecta, Plymouth Chubb was a half-head away third.

Rating 1:57.4 over 1730 metres, Queen Elida's time was 1.8 slower than The Locomotive in the following heat.

Also triumphant during the opening round, The Locomotive accounted for Aldebaran Zeus and Aldebaran Vera with trainer Brad Hewitt in the cart.