Perfect Fit
Trish Dunell
Perfect Fit's owners were in high spirits after the mare passed her sternest test to date at Ellerslie and their celebrations may go to another level in the near future.
The four-year-old has come a long way in a relatively short period of time and she downed a competitive line-up of mares in Saturday's Gr.2 Westbury Classic to earn her a likely crack at higher honours.
The Haunui Farm-bred Perfect Fit, withdrawn from the Ready to Run Sale as a juvenile, was retained by stud principal Mark Chitty who roped in a group of old friends to race the daughter of Elusive City and the triple Group One winner Fayreform.
"We might be nearing 50 now, but we'll be partying like we're in our twenties tonight," he said.
Perfect Fit travelling comfortably on the leader's quarters for regular rider Michael Coleman and when he slipped her more rein 250 metres from home they quickly put the issue beyond doubt.
She has now won half of her 10 starts and trainer Ken Kelso, who prepares her at Matamata with his wife Bev, said she had needed to be treated with patient hands.
"She's not that easy and it's been a great team effort to get her here today. She's very professional and living up to what we always thought she'd do."
Kelso said Perfect Fit had trained on well following her successful open class debut on her home track at her previous appearance and they had been confident of a bold showing at Ellerslie, where she has now won three times.
"There's plenty more in store for her in the future as well. We'll definitely carry on toward Te Aroha for the Breeders' Stakes with her now and hopefully she can do it again in a Group One. – NZ Racing Desk.
The four-year-old has come a long way in a relatively short period of time and she downed a competitive line-up of mares in Saturday's Gr.2 Westbury Classic to earn her a likely crack at higher honours.
The Haunui Farm-bred Perfect Fit, withdrawn from the Ready to Run Sale as a juvenile, was retained by stud principal Mark Chitty who roped in a group of old friends to race the daughter of Elusive City and the triple Group One winner Fayreform.
"We might be nearing 50 now, but we'll be partying like we're in our twenties tonight," he said.
Perfect Fit travelling comfortably on the leader's quarters for regular rider Michael Coleman and when he slipped her more rein 250 metres from home they quickly put the issue beyond doubt.
She has now won half of her 10 starts and trainer Ken Kelso, who prepares her at Matamata with his wife Bev, said she had needed to be treated with patient hands.
"She's not that easy and it's been a great team effort to get her here today. She's very professional and living up to what we always thought she'd do."
Kelso said Perfect Fit had trained on well following her successful open class debut on her home track at her previous appearance and they had been confident of a bold showing at Ellerslie, where she has now won three times.
"There's plenty more in store for her in the future as well. We'll definitely carry on toward Te Aroha for the Breeders' Stakes with her now and hopefully she can do it again in a Group One. – NZ Racing Desk.