Ark Sea smashes Australasian record ahead of Breeders’ Challenge Final

26 October 2026

PAUL COURTS 

OUTSTANDING filly Ark Sea issued an ominous warning ahead of next week's New South Wales Breeders' Challenge Final at Club Menangle.

Competing in a series semi-final at the premier venue on Saturday night, Ark Sea captured the qualifier in Australasian record time.
Covering the 1609-metre sprint in 1:49.8, the Sam Hewitt-trained daughter of Stay Hungry shaved a tenth of a second from Anntonia's three-year-old fillies record.
Anntonia established her mark while winning the 2021 Breeders' Challenge Final.
"That was a terrific run," Hewitt said. "I've always known she could run that kind of time, but just never set out to push her to do it.
"She was winding down on the line and could have gone quicker if needed.
"That run will have her right at her peak and ready for next week's Final."
Driven by Will Rixon, Ark Sea led throughout from barrier six to score by four-and-a-half metres from One More Reason, which was brave after racing in the 'death seat'.
Among the outsiders at $71, Cocos Desire was a metre away third.
"I could see they were running along and I was just hoping she'd keep going," Hewitt said. "At the top of the straight when she shrugged off the one in the breeze I knew she had them covered."
Earlier on the card Queensland raider Stripes continued her winning streak by securing the opening semi in 1:51.3 for trainer Chantal Turpin.
With Cameron Hart holding the reins, Stripes enjoyed the perfect one-one trip before sprinting to a six-and-a-half metre victory from Eye Wish, with Highindelight two metres away third.