The Auld Floozie wins the Crockford Real Estate 1600m at Tauranga
Photo: Kenton Wright, Race Images
High class four-year-old mare Thee Auld Floozie kept her impeccable record at Tauranga intact when she made it three from three at the Gate Pa venue with a comfortable victory over 1600 metres on the weekend.
The daughter of Mastercraftsman came into the Crockford Real Estate sponsored contest off the back of a disappointing performance in the Gr. 2 Rich Hill Mile on New Year's Day where she finished well back on the rain-affected Ellerslie track. Trainer Stephen Marsh was confident the mare could bounce back on better ground and he was proved right as she cruised home to beat highly regarded rivals Massofdash and Saavoya in a comfortable 1.36.13 for the 1600 metre journey.
"Her form leading into Ellerslie had been first class and we were expecting a big run from her in the Rich Hill," noted Marsh.
"Once the rain came it really put paid to her chances and I did consider scratching her that day although we ended up going around.
"She had worked well since then so I thought if we could get the right track on Saturday she was going to be hard to beat."
Despite being fractionally slow at the jump, rider Michael McNab soon had the mare travelling sweetly one out and one back in the early stages of the contest. Brought forward to challenge on the point of the home turn Thee Auld Floozie quickly put paid to Saavoya who had set the speed before holding out the late charge of Massofdash who snatched at the winning post.
"It was a lovely ride from Michael as he had her ticking along nicely in the clear and when he asked her the response was immediate and she found the line well," said Marsh
"I think at present she is best suited at the mile so that's where we will keep her for her next few runs. A race like the Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes on Waitangi day is a nice target for her and then she will probably have a break before we set her for a crack at Group One level in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes at Te Aroha in April."
Marsh was also thrilled by his Trentham representatives on the weekend with Seize The Moment finishing a gallant second in the Gr. 3 Anniversary Handicap while injury plagued sprinter Barbaric flashed home to finish close-up in fourth in the Gr. 1 JR&N Berkett Telegraph.
"I couldn't have asked any more of them as they both tried their hearts out and went super races," he said.
"I guess the only disappointment was Ruud Not Too in the Levin Classic but she was an absolute victim of circumstances so just forget the run as I'm sure she will bounce back with some better luck at her next start." – NZ Racing Desk
The daughter of Mastercraftsman came into the Crockford Real Estate sponsored contest off the back of a disappointing performance in the Gr. 2 Rich Hill Mile on New Year's Day where she finished well back on the rain-affected Ellerslie track. Trainer Stephen Marsh was confident the mare could bounce back on better ground and he was proved right as she cruised home to beat highly regarded rivals Massofdash and Saavoya in a comfortable 1.36.13 for the 1600 metre journey.
"Her form leading into Ellerslie had been first class and we were expecting a big run from her in the Rich Hill," noted Marsh.
"Once the rain came it really put paid to her chances and I did consider scratching her that day although we ended up going around.
"She had worked well since then so I thought if we could get the right track on Saturday she was going to be hard to beat."
Despite being fractionally slow at the jump, rider Michael McNab soon had the mare travelling sweetly one out and one back in the early stages of the contest. Brought forward to challenge on the point of the home turn Thee Auld Floozie quickly put paid to Saavoya who had set the speed before holding out the late charge of Massofdash who snatched at the winning post.
"It was a lovely ride from Michael as he had her ticking along nicely in the clear and when he asked her the response was immediate and she found the line well," said Marsh
"I think at present she is best suited at the mile so that's where we will keep her for her next few runs. A race like the Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes on Waitangi day is a nice target for her and then she will probably have a break before we set her for a crack at Group One level in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes at Te Aroha in April."
Marsh was also thrilled by his Trentham representatives on the weekend with Seize The Moment finishing a gallant second in the Gr. 3 Anniversary Handicap while injury plagued sprinter Barbaric flashed home to finish close-up in fourth in the Gr. 1 JR&N Berkett Telegraph.
"I couldn't have asked any more of them as they both tried their hearts out and went super races," he said.
"I guess the only disappointment was Ruud Not Too in the Levin Classic but she was an absolute victim of circumstances so just forget the run as I'm sure she will bounce back with some better luck at her next start." – NZ Racing Desk