Echezeaux
Race Images
A narrow but powerful victory by blue-blood mare Echezeaux capped an up and down day for the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards training partnership at Trentham on Saturday.
The day started well when outstanding prospect Royal Success scored in the first race, despite some pre-race shenanigans, however it took until the last race before they added a second win to the tally with Echezeaux. In between times they had to settle for third with two-year-old filly Melody Belle in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes while Abidewithme ran on late to finish midfield in the Gr. 1 Captain Cook Stakes.
Echezeaux is a five-year-old Encosta De Lago mare and is the daughter of multiple Group One winner Grand Echezeaux, making her a half sister to champion galloper Darci Brahma. Much was expected from her when she first stepped onto the racetrack however the slow maturing type took awhile to hit her straps.
"She has been very slow to develop and really still has some maturing to do," explained Autridge.
"When she first stepped out she battled a bit and people started to write her off but we knew she just needed some time.
"She won her first race at her fourth run but has now won three of the next six so her record is starting to shape up. I think with another six months on her she is going to prove to be a very handy galloper."
Autridge was delighted with Saturday's performance that saw the mare settle nicely off the speed before producing an irresistible late run to snatch victory in the Hanley Formula sponsored rating 75 mile.
"It was a good run as she put her head on her chest for most of the trip but really put in when Matt (Cameron) asked her in the run home," he said.
"She rounded it off like a mare that is looking for more ground which is what we wanted to see. She can get a bit dour so a middle distance will suit and that's likely to be her next assignment.
"There's a nice race for her at Ellerslie on Boxing Day so I think that will be her next start. After that we will reassess as she does hold a nomination for some of the Cup races later in the summer.
"Whether we can get there in this prep is a question but I have no doubt she will at some stage of her career." – NZ Racing Desk
The day started well when outstanding prospect Royal Success scored in the first race, despite some pre-race shenanigans, however it took until the last race before they added a second win to the tally with Echezeaux. In between times they had to settle for third with two-year-old filly Melody Belle in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes while Abidewithme ran on late to finish midfield in the Gr. 1 Captain Cook Stakes.
Echezeaux is a five-year-old Encosta De Lago mare and is the daughter of multiple Group One winner Grand Echezeaux, making her a half sister to champion galloper Darci Brahma. Much was expected from her when she first stepped onto the racetrack however the slow maturing type took awhile to hit her straps.
"She has been very slow to develop and really still has some maturing to do," explained Autridge.
"When she first stepped out she battled a bit and people started to write her off but we knew she just needed some time.
"She won her first race at her fourth run but has now won three of the next six so her record is starting to shape up. I think with another six months on her she is going to prove to be a very handy galloper."
Autridge was delighted with Saturday's performance that saw the mare settle nicely off the speed before producing an irresistible late run to snatch victory in the Hanley Formula sponsored rating 75 mile.
"It was a good run as she put her head on her chest for most of the trip but really put in when Matt (Cameron) asked her in the run home," he said.
"She rounded it off like a mare that is looking for more ground which is what we wanted to see. She can get a bit dour so a middle distance will suit and that's likely to be her next assignment.
"There's a nice race for her at Ellerslie on Boxing Day so I think that will be her next start. After that we will reassess as she does hold a nomination for some of the Cup races later in the summer.
"Whether we can get there in this prep is a question but I have no doubt she will at some stage of her career." – NZ Racing Desk
