Action Ann delivers despite disturbance

ACTION ANN recovered from interference down the backstretch to split rivals a furlong out and outfinish SECRET IDENTITY, landing yesterday’s Hot Line Stakes by a well-measured neck, a telling performance off a 10-week lay-up ahead of next month’s Thornbird Stakes.

Partnered by Omar Walker, the Sensational Slam-Ladylike grey raced prominently down the backstretch, after breaking from stall seven in the nine-horse, fillies-only, field being led by speedy outsiders, SURE CURLIN and THREE TIMES LUCKY.

Taken in hand by Walker leaving the half-mile, seemingly interfered with by SECRET IDENTITY, Walker settled the 6-5 favourite, straightening four wide in the six-furlong event.

SECRET IDENTITY got first run on the leaders to hit the front a furlong out along the rail but was soon reeled in by ACTION ANN, who went past THREE TIMES LUCKY and SURE CURLIN to take aim.

Set down by Walker inside the last furlong, ACTION ANN lengthened her strides to reel in SECRET IDENTITY, getting there at the last hop to win by a neck in 1:14.3.

ACTION ANN closed a two-timer for Walker, who used 1-9 favourite, DADDY JONES, to easily land the seventh race for three-year-old maidens at a mile.

Lightweight claiming rider, Jordan Barrett, notched his first ever two-timer, 8-5 favourite, PRINCESS STATISTIC, in the second event and the day’s stunner, 13-1 shot AMY THE BUTCHER, running rivals off their legs in the eighth.