Lucky's Revenge
Trish Dunell
With the locals dominating proceedings at Ruakaka on Saturday it was left to Matamata trainer Peter McKay to strike a blow for the visitors as he produced a winning double on the day.
Promising two-year-old Barcelo opened his winning account with a comfortable display over 1000 metres however it was three-year-old filly Lucky's Revenge who created the biggest impression with an effortless victory over 1200 metres later in the day.
Unsighted since finishing well back in stakes company during the Auckland Cup Carnival in March, the daughter of six race winner Santangelo dealt to a handy line-up of intermediate sprinters as she held out the late charge of Hunapo to record her third win from just six raceday appearances.
McKay admitted he was keen on the filly's chances leading into the contest despite a four month absence from the track.
"I've always had an opinion of this filly but we've tried to be patient with her as she is only going to get better as she gets older," he noted.
"She put together two nice wins before we decided to take a shot at black type with her at Ellerslie but she just wasn't herself that day. Some of my horses picked up a virus around that time and she was very listless for a week or so after the run so I'm sure she was one who was affected by it.
"We tipped her into the paddock and she had a good break which did her the world of good and she has made good progress since she has been back in work. It's always tough taking on the older horses but I thought she would be hard to roll with the right run and that's how it panned out."
Raced in the familiar blue and white hoops of owner Sir Peter Vela, the Darci Brahma filly will return to Ruakaka later in the winter before McKay puts her spring campaign plans in place.
"I'm going to give her one more in her grade back at Ruakaka in August and then we will look at her options for the spring," he advised.
"At this stage the options include the Group Three 1400 metre on the last day at Hawkes Bay or maybe another quick break before taking her fresh into the big sprints during New Zealand Cup Week.
"She is going to be at her peak as a four-year-old so we have time to plan the best option for her as I have no doubt she has the quality to be very competitive against the top grade." – NZ Racing Desk
Promising two-year-old Barcelo opened his winning account with a comfortable display over 1000 metres however it was three-year-old filly Lucky's Revenge who created the biggest impression with an effortless victory over 1200 metres later in the day.
Unsighted since finishing well back in stakes company during the Auckland Cup Carnival in March, the daughter of six race winner Santangelo dealt to a handy line-up of intermediate sprinters as she held out the late charge of Hunapo to record her third win from just six raceday appearances.
McKay admitted he was keen on the filly's chances leading into the contest despite a four month absence from the track.
"I've always had an opinion of this filly but we've tried to be patient with her as she is only going to get better as she gets older," he noted.
"She put together two nice wins before we decided to take a shot at black type with her at Ellerslie but she just wasn't herself that day. Some of my horses picked up a virus around that time and she was very listless for a week or so after the run so I'm sure she was one who was affected by it.
"We tipped her into the paddock and she had a good break which did her the world of good and she has made good progress since she has been back in work. It's always tough taking on the older horses but I thought she would be hard to roll with the right run and that's how it panned out."
Raced in the familiar blue and white hoops of owner Sir Peter Vela, the Darci Brahma filly will return to Ruakaka later in the winter before McKay puts her spring campaign plans in place.
"I'm going to give her one more in her grade back at Ruakaka in August and then we will look at her options for the spring," he advised.
"At this stage the options include the Group Three 1400 metre on the last day at Hawkes Bay or maybe another quick break before taking her fresh into the big sprints during New Zealand Cup Week.
"She is going to be at her peak as a four-year-old so we have time to plan the best option for her as I have no doubt she has the quality to be very competitive against the top grade." – NZ Racing Desk
