Antelucan & Chamarel In Black Opal Frame

Antelucan and Chamarel finished third and fourth in the six-furlong Group Three Seppelt Black Opal Stakes on fast ground at Canberra, Australia, on Sunday, March 8.

Two-year-old Domesday filly Antelucan (John O'Shea/James McDonald) was smartly away and chased Takedown, who made all, on the outside but could not make any impression in the straight, finishing three and a half lengths adrift at the line.

Exceed And Excel colt Chamarel (John O'Shea/Hugh Bowman) raced in mid-division of the 13 runners before improving his position with a quarter-mile to race.

He kept on in the closing stages and just missed out on third.The winner's time on firm ground was 1m 10.50s.

John O'Shea said: "In the straight, Antelucan failed to let down and the jockey commented that she might have been feeling the ground. She has pulled up really well but found the ground a bit too firm.

"Chamarel jumped okay from his awkward gate (nine) and travelled at mid-field. On the corner, he moved up behind the speed and worked home very well in the straight.

"Throughout the run, he never got in any closer than four-wide with no cover and still found the line - a really good job."