When driver Chris Alford took defending Vicbred champion Rocknroll Magic to the lead early in the 2200-metre contest, Bou Chard and driver Michael Bellman were forced to do the bullocking work without cover in their quest to qualify for a spot in the semi-finals.

Bellman upped the ante with 500 metres to travel and the leading pair battled for supremacy.

The third quarter was run in a blistering 27.3 seconds and, turning for home, it was a matter of which mare would surrender first. Half way down the straight Rocknroll Magic was under severe pressure and Alford dropped the reins for another day. Bou Chard drew away to score by six metres in a rate of 1:58.8.

The mare raced by her breeder Robin Connelly in partnership with trainer Rod Carberry, has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months. 

Supersonic Miss rewarded the faith of her trainer Kerryn Manning and owner Merv Butterworth with an impressive victory in the Group 3 Alabar - Richmond Lass Classic last week at Melton.

It was just few weeks ago that Manning and Butterworth saw her return from injury to race at Melton.

A brave second placing behind Rocknroll Magic that night gave promise of a successful comeback and was vindicated the following week when Supersonic Miss captured an M0 class contest at harness headquarters.

With those two runs under the belt, Supersonic Miss made it 17 career victories and eight from nine for Manning, with a dominant display in the ‘Richmond Lass’, leading all the way to score by three metres in a rate of 1:53.6 for the 1720-metre sprint.

Last return: $16.30 @ Stawell trots. Balance: $577.05 Best bet: Race 7 No 9 Keayang Torah $5 win. Value bet: Race 4 No 9 Man Of Class $2 win $3 place. Multi bet: Flexi running double Race 7 - Nos  4,5,8,9 into 1,4,8,9 spend $10.