This G3 3yo filly event over 2100m saw Mime prove too strong and get her Ellerslie win that she should have got four runs ago, when ridden in a manner that got the stewards involved. She raced close and then loomed up at the 200m before being driven to the front at the 100m to score by almost a length in 2:10.45. The time was faster than the Ratings 65 for older horses in the last event on the card by an impressive seven lengths. Promise To Reign was a super second after sitting midfield the inner and ran home gamely once away from the inside lanes across the top. Maritimo set the pace and kicked well despite running about the run home to be headed 100m out. Duchess Kate was brave to finish fourth after being wide and working the whole way from midfield then up to fifth or sixth. The fact she never gave it away makes the G1 NZ Oaks (2400m) a likely next target. Coldplay was ridden quietly today out the back and ran on late from second last so this could be a pattern change in preparation for the NZ Oaks on March 19. Fame Seeker was just fair and likewise for Polar Secret and Megawatt but the rest thereafter got beaten too far to be considered stamina fillies at this stage. The first five home are Oaks chances but how any of them will beat Sofia Rosa at this stage is the obvious question.
Previous Winners
| Date | Horse | Jockey | WT | Trainer | BP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
THEE AULD FLOOZIE
(NZ)
3F MASTERCRAFTSMAN (IRE) - THEE AULD HUSSIE (NZ) SPINNING WORLD (USA) |
DANIELLE JOHNSON | 56.5 | STEPHEN MARSH | 4 |
|
|
ROCK DIVA
(NZ)
3F LUCKY UNICORN (AUS) - BOHEMIAN BLUES (NZ) BLUES TRAVELLER (IRE) |
L G INNES | 56.5 | TONY PIKE & MARK DONOGHUE | 10 |
|
|
MORE THAN SACRED
(AUS)
3F MORE THAN READY (USA) - DANALAGA (AUS) DANEHILL (USA) |
MARK DU PLESSIS | 56.5 | TONY PIKE & MARK DONOGHUE | 9 |
|
|
MISS ARTISTIC
(NZ)
3F DARCI BRAHMA (NZ) - ARTLESS (AUS) DAHAR (USA) |
M T COLEMAN | 56.5 | SHAUNE RITCHIE | 2 |
|
|
ANNIE HIGGINS
(NZ)
3F O'REILLY (NZ) - DIVA BELLE (NZ) CARNEGIE (IRE) |
O P BOSSON | 56.0 | L NOBLE | 13 |
|
|
A CHANCE TO DREAM
(AUS)
3F VOLKSRAAD (GB) - MAKE ME DREAM (IRE) SADLER'S WELLS (USA) |
MARK DU PLESSIS | 56.0 | J G SARGENT | 5 |
|
|
MILL DUCKIE
(NZ)
3F MAGIC RING (IRE) - VINTAGE CLASS (NZ) MASTERCLASS (USA) |
MS N L COLLETT | 56.0 | RICHARD COLLETT | 4 |
