Race Images Palmerston North
Highly-regarded mare Shellez Ace had her moment in the sun at New Plymouth where she posted the second victory of her fledgling career.
The four-year-old temporarily stepped out of the shadow of her Group-winning stablemate Underthemoonlight with a tidy performance to claim the thick end of the stake in Saturday’s ITM Firth Dricon 1400.
“I’ve got a lot of time for this horse,” said Matamata part-owner and co-breeder Hamish McQuade, whose wife Karyn trains the mare.
“She’s been slow maturing and very weak, that’s why we’ve been putting the claimers on her and spacing her runs.”
Jasmine Fawcett’s three kilo claim was used to good effect and the apprentice followed her orders to the letter when sitting on the leader’s quarters before taking control at the top of the straight.
“I drummed that into her before the race and she rode her to perfection,” McQuade said.
Shellez Ace was clear with 250 metres to run and she had enough in reserve to score at the expense of Crafty Jess and Sea Star.
“She’ll probably have two more runs while it’s wet, she’s not a firm tracker,” McQuade said.
The stable’s focus now turns to Underthemoonlight, who will take aim at next Saturday’s Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy at Hawke’s Bay.
“She’s good and a bit of rain isn’t going to hurt us,” McQuade said.
Underthemoonlight firmed to a $10 chance for the first Group One contest of the season following her victory seven days ago in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate. – NZ Racing Desk.