Australian import Liculia A earned her first victory in Canada with a front-stepping effort in the featured $10,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2 Pace on Wednesday night at Flamboro Downs.
With the inside post advantage, Liculia A ($10.80) came through for the lead while her rivals raced four-high into the first turn before settling behind in single-file alignment. Liculia A was in control the rest of the way, reaching the first quarter mark in :28.3 and subsequent stations of :58.1 and 1:27.1. Meanwhile, 2-1 favourite Twilight Seelster faded first over and then Regal Luck tipped out, but couldn't catch Liculia A, who prevailed by one length in 1:56.1. Insincerity finished three lengths behind in third.
The Ontario-sired daughter by Blissfull Hall arrived in North America this summer and competed at Yonkers, Pocono and Harrah's Philadelphia before venturing north of the border. She made her first Canadian start at Woodbine Racetrack on Nov. 13 and followed it up with Wednesday's win -- her first in nine North American starts. Lifetime, the five-year-old mare has won seven times in 30 races while earning $52,914 in purses.
Richard Moreau has taken over the training duties for owner Arrhythmic LLC of West Seneca, New York. Alfie Carroll was the winning catch-driver.
Pictonian Sareta ($5.20) won the $7,500 Preferred 3 event for fillies and mares in 1:55.3, also scoring in wire-to-wire fashion in rein to Carroll.
The favoured four-year-old Western Paradise mare fired out for the lead from post four through :26.4 first quarter and carved out middle panels of :56 and 1:25.1 en route to the one and a quarter length victory over pocket-sitter Katherine B. Sauble Claire finished third.
The Nova Scotia-bred mare has now won five of her 32 starts this year while earning $44,747 for trainer Jack Harris of Hagersville, Ont. and co-owner William Dowhan of Hamilton, Ont.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Flamboro Downs.