Florence Jean
Kenton Wright Race Images
Waikato horseman John Morell may not have to wait too long for his next black type winner.
He recently retired his Group One hero Ryan Mark and at Ruakaka on Friday he produced the debutante Florence Jean for a sizzling victory in the Cambridge Stud Stallions' 2YO.
Florence Jean sat outside the leader to the turn and when rider Alysha Collett asked the filly for an effort she responded in style to scoot clear and she had four and a half lengths on the local hope Bits And Pieces at the post.
"She's quite professional and it was nice to get off to a winning start," Morell said.
"I bought her at the Festival Sale and being by Pins out of an O'Reilly mare we always thought she would make a two-year-old, but she never showed anything on the track until we put the blinkers on her."
While Florence Jean is eligible for the Karaka Million, Morell isn't tempted by the $1 million purse of the Ellerslie feature.
"That was never the plan and she's been a bit shin sore on and off," he said. "If everything goes to plan we might go to the fillies' race at Matamata."
He was referring to the J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders' Stakes on February 25.
A $22,000 Karaka purchase, Florence Jean's sister (Lot 972) will be sold by Waikato Stud at the Select Sale at Karaka on February 1. – NZ Racing Desk.
He recently retired his Group One hero Ryan Mark and at Ruakaka on Friday he produced the debutante Florence Jean for a sizzling victory in the Cambridge Stud Stallions' 2YO.
Florence Jean sat outside the leader to the turn and when rider Alysha Collett asked the filly for an effort she responded in style to scoot clear and she had four and a half lengths on the local hope Bits And Pieces at the post.
"She's quite professional and it was nice to get off to a winning start," Morell said.
"I bought her at the Festival Sale and being by Pins out of an O'Reilly mare we always thought she would make a two-year-old, but she never showed anything on the track until we put the blinkers on her."
While Florence Jean is eligible for the Karaka Million, Morell isn't tempted by the $1 million purse of the Ellerslie feature.
"That was never the plan and she's been a bit shin sore on and off," he said. "If everything goes to plan we might go to the fillies' race at Matamata."
He was referring to the J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders' Stakes on February 25.
A $22,000 Karaka purchase, Florence Jean's sister (Lot 972) will be sold by Waikato Stud at the Select Sale at Karaka on February 1. – NZ Racing Desk.
