MIGHTY MISS IMPROVES AGAIN

Miss Aria defied a tough run to mow down Apache Song in the 1400m 3YO Benchmark 78 at Sandown and secure back-to-back wins in the process.

The Danny O’Brien-trained filly settled worse than midfield and was posted wide around the bend on straightening but sustained a mighty effort under apprentice jockey Tatum Bull.

“When I gave her one around the tail she really lifted and God she was strong through the line, it’s pretty exciting,” Bull said.

“I feel like today has a bit more credit to it (than Caulfield win last start) because she did have it tough, I didn’t set her an easy task and most horses would’ve laid down.

“Good horses get you out of trouble and she did that for me today.”

The daughter of Group 1 winner Bonaria is in excellent form with stable Matt Harrington believing the performance on Saturday had set a new bar for the three-year-old.

"She went to a new level today, not everything went her way but for her to be able sprint off a long sustained run was a really polished performance," Harrington said.

"It won't be long until you see back at black-type level."  

Story by Gilbert Gardiner for the Herald Sun

Pic by Racing Photos