Kirstin Ledington (Trish Dunell Photography)
Promising mare Sleeping Beauty enhanced her burgeoning reputation when she strolled to victory at Ellerslie.
The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott trained five-year-old completed a hat-trick of victories as she registered her fourth win from just nine starts in the Swiss Belsuites 1200.
Sent out a warm favourite against her six rating 75 rivals, the Rip Van Winkle mare never looked in danger of defeat as she assumed control early in the run home after stalking the speed set by the free-going Rich Billie Marsh. Rider Sam Weatherley shot the mare clear as she dominated the chasing pack in the run home, easing down in the last 100 metres to register a comfortable six length victory on the testing Heavy 11 rated surface.
“She is in a purple patch of form and couldn’t have gone any better,” Weatherley reported after the race.
“She just loves these wet tracks and keeps improving every time.”
Weatherley was also of the opinion that the mare wouldn’t be out of place in better company as her campaign continues.
“I do think there are bigger and better things to come with her,” he said.
“I think she has a decent chance of getting some black type, maybe in a race like the weight-for-age 1200 metre race at Rotorua if she could make the field.
“She is just flying.”
Weatherley was referring to the Gr. 3 Lion Red Plate that will be run at Arawa Park on 21 October as the feature event on the day. – NZ Racing Desk