Underthemoonlight
Trish Dunell
Underthemoonlight has passed a stern test set for her by trainer Karyn McQuade with flying colours.
The lightly-tried mare won Saturday's Skycity Hamilton 1400 to force her way into black type contention in two weeks' time in the Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic.
The El Hermano mare was racing well out of her grade as her only previous success had come in a Rating 65 event at New Plymouth in the spring.
"It's always been in the back of our minds to get her into the Tauranga Classic," said McQuade, who bred and races Underthemoonlight with her husband Hamish.
"Her goals this preparation were to get her into the Rotorua Stakes and then on to Tauranga, but her first couple of runs were on firmer ground - she didn't get the wet tracks that she needs and she didn't get the points to get in the Rotorua Stakes."
Narrowly beaten by the progressive Summer's Day at Ellerslie a week ago, Underthemoonlight made no mistake at Te Rapa.
She was in front soon after straightening and held on determinedly to score by three quarters of a length from Silhouette Noire.
"She has always showed us a lot – she is very capable," McQuade said.
Underthemoonlight was ridden by Anna Jones, who has been aboard the mare in every start.
"She's a talented horse and she'll keep improving," she said. "She's still a bit green and wants to lay in, but she's strengthening and she has got an engine."
The lightly-tried mare won Saturday's Skycity Hamilton 1400 to force her way into black type contention in two weeks' time in the Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic.
The El Hermano mare was racing well out of her grade as her only previous success had come in a Rating 65 event at New Plymouth in the spring.
"It's always been in the back of our minds to get her into the Tauranga Classic," said McQuade, who bred and races Underthemoonlight with her husband Hamish.
"Her goals this preparation were to get her into the Rotorua Stakes and then on to Tauranga, but her first couple of runs were on firmer ground - she didn't get the wet tracks that she needs and she didn't get the points to get in the Rotorua Stakes."
Narrowly beaten by the progressive Summer's Day at Ellerslie a week ago, Underthemoonlight made no mistake at Te Rapa.
She was in front soon after straightening and held on determinedly to score by three quarters of a length from Silhouette Noire.
"She has always showed us a lot – she is very capable," McQuade said.
Underthemoonlight was ridden by Anna Jones, who has been aboard the mare in every start.
"She's a talented horse and she'll keep improving," she said. "She's still a bit green and wants to lay in, but she's strengthening and she has got an engine."