Race Images South
Co-trainer Karen Parsons was giving little away prior to the start of Saturday’s Rating 75 1100m contest at Riccarton as she discussed the prospects for the return of injury plagued mare Starvoia.
The now four-year-old mare was making her return to the racetrack off an eight-month break that was necessitated due to some niggling issues she had experienced during her three-year-old campaign.
Parsons had been pleased with the mare’s progress despite a few glitches and was expecting a tidy performance from her charge, but even she was nearly lost for words after the daughter of Starcraft produced a devastating burst of speed that carried her past her rivals in the twinkling of an eye at the business end of the contest.
“That was unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable,” she said as she waited for the mare to return to the Riccarton birdcage.
“We’ve had no pressure from her owners as they waited to see her back racing, so I’m thrilled for them.”
Rider Chris Johnson was equally impressed by the performance.
“She’s enormous and with this being her first run this prep it’s just so good to see her come back like this,” he said.
“She had the blinkers on for her last campaign, but we took them off for this one as she is such an honest horse and tries hard all the time.
“She was travelling sweetly all the way but she even surprised me with just how quickly she picked them up and she won easily.”
Parsons revealed she and husband John hadn’t made any further plans for the mare, preferring to see how she came through the race before contemplating their options during the summer months.
It was the mare’s 4th victory from 10 career starts that also include four placings at stakes level that were achieved during her three-year-old campaign. – NZ Racing Desk