Rose of Virginia wins the Windsor Park Stud Karaka Stayers Cup at Ellerslie
Photo- Trish Dunell
Underrated mare Rose of Virginia upset the applecart when she scored a gritty win in the $100,000 Windsor Park Stud Karaka Stayers Cup at Ellerslie on Sunday evening.
Pre-race discussions had centered on the two mares at the top of the handicap in last start Gr. 3 City of Auckland Cup winner Decorah and Group One winner Pondarosa Miss who started a warm favourite in the event. Most punters would have been on good terms with themselves in the mid-stages of the contest as the favoured pair enjoyed trouble free runs in midfield on the back of a good tempo set by last start winner Seventeen Seventy.
After being trapped wide as the field left the straight for the first time rider Cameron Lammas had manoeuvred Rose Of Virginia into a beautiful trail behind the pacemaker. As the field swung for home he produced the daughter of Thorn Park to issue a stern challenge as she and Seventeen Seventy set down to fight out the finish.
In a slogging battle the Lance Noble trained mare gained the upper hand in the shadows of the post to draw away to a half length victory from a gallant Seventeen Seventy with top-weight Decorah running on nicely for third a further half length away. Favourite Pondarosa Miss faded after issuing a brief challenge halfway down the straight and beat a handful of runners home.
It was a special win for Noble and the mare's connections with many enjoying a close association with the race sponsor.
"She's a real Windsor Park product being by Thorn Park," noted Noble after the race.
"I bought and trained the mother so it's very special and I'm just thrilled for her owners."
Noble had been confident of a good run after the mare finished a dogged second to Decorah in the City of Auckland Cup on New Year's Day.
"She went a terrific race in the City of Auckland and her best form has been on better tracks so I wasn't worried about the ground today.
"The drop in weight and especially the pull we got from Decorah made a big difference and she was good enough to get the job done."
Noble will now set the mare for the Gr. 2 Go Racing Syndications Avondale Cup in February as a precursor to a tilt at the Gr. 1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup in March where she is exempt from the ballot after her City Of Auckland Cup placing. – NZ Racing Desk
Pre-race discussions had centered on the two mares at the top of the handicap in last start Gr. 3 City of Auckland Cup winner Decorah and Group One winner Pondarosa Miss who started a warm favourite in the event. Most punters would have been on good terms with themselves in the mid-stages of the contest as the favoured pair enjoyed trouble free runs in midfield on the back of a good tempo set by last start winner Seventeen Seventy.
After being trapped wide as the field left the straight for the first time rider Cameron Lammas had manoeuvred Rose Of Virginia into a beautiful trail behind the pacemaker. As the field swung for home he produced the daughter of Thorn Park to issue a stern challenge as she and Seventeen Seventy set down to fight out the finish.
In a slogging battle the Lance Noble trained mare gained the upper hand in the shadows of the post to draw away to a half length victory from a gallant Seventeen Seventy with top-weight Decorah running on nicely for third a further half length away. Favourite Pondarosa Miss faded after issuing a brief challenge halfway down the straight and beat a handful of runners home.
It was a special win for Noble and the mare's connections with many enjoying a close association with the race sponsor.
"She's a real Windsor Park product being by Thorn Park," noted Noble after the race.
"I bought and trained the mother so it's very special and I'm just thrilled for her owners."
Noble had been confident of a good run after the mare finished a dogged second to Decorah in the City of Auckland Cup on New Year's Day.
"She went a terrific race in the City of Auckland and her best form has been on better tracks so I wasn't worried about the ground today.
"The drop in weight and especially the pull we got from Decorah made a big difference and she was good enough to get the job done."
Noble will now set the mare for the Gr. 2 Go Racing Syndications Avondale Cup in February as a precursor to a tilt at the Gr. 1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup in March where she is exempt from the ballot after her City Of Auckland Cup placing. – NZ Racing Desk