Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
Previously unbeaten filly Miss Labasa finished unplaced in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, but her trainer John Bary wasn’t disappointed with his filly’s run.
“She pulled up really well and travelled home well,” Bary said. “I’m not disappointed at all. We felt like there was no pace and we were going to ride her forward.
“He (jockey Jonathan Parkes) squeezed her up out of the gates to get her there and everything went to plan until they put the brakes on. She was just hard on the steel the whole way for Jonathan, he said she never relaxed.
“At that top level everything has to go your way. She was just a bit strong and you can’t do it at both ends, so it’s unfortunate.”
Bary was philosophical about the result and is looking forward to continuing his charge on a Classic campaign, which will culminate with a tilt at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham in March.
“It was only her fourth start and she was racing against probably the best three-year-old field that has gone around this season” Bary said.
“It bodes well, she travelled well. We will just regroup and go to the Lowland and the Oaks and just keep going forward.”