Six decades in the making

Six decades in the making
Gary Lawlor and Driver Darryl Lawlor

IT'S a journey six decades and six generations in the making, but a maiden Group Two triumph is in reach.

Veteran horseman Gary Lawlor will contest a Breeders' Crown heat in Melton on Friday night with a bloodline his father, Joe, started during the 1960s when he purchased a mare by the name of Heytesbury Star.

Should all go to plan, Lawlor's promising filly, Sweet Ideal - a descendent of Heytesbury Star - will perform well enough in the qualifier to progress to, and with plenty of luck capture, next week's $100,000 Final.

"We've had this same breed for 60 years," Lawlor said. "My father bought the first mare and we've been using her line ever since.

"It has been a good line with the colts, which have been better than the fillies, but the fillies have gone on to be good broodmares.

"Sweet Ideal is the exception to that as she is the best one I have bred from the family.

"The day I broke her in I said this is the best we've ever had...she's always had a factor about her which is why I didn't race her too soon to just let her mature into herself."

Checked during her debut before finishing fifth, Sweet Ideal has won her five subsequent starts in impressive fashion, giving Lawlor faith ahead of her pending assignment.

Drawing barrier five against a strong field, however, has slightly dampened Lawlor's confidence.

"She's going very well," Lawlor said. "I couldn't be happier with her, but I can't say the same about the draw.

"This will be a big step up for her and she has received the worst barrier, which will really test her against such a hot field.

"Emma's (Stewart) one in barrier two (Waterfront) is unbeaten from nine starts for her and the one from New South Wales (Golly Gee Fellas) is a last start Group One winner.

"This will certainly give us an idea of where she is at, but I know we're going into it with her being in great shape."