Mystery Show and Leith Innes narrowly defeat Pincanto in the Mullins Tyres Pearl Series Fillies Classic at Avondale
Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Leith Innes wasn't as worried as punters before the hotpot Mystery Show made a successful debut at Avondale on Monday.
Mystery Show had won three trials by an aggregate of 12 lengths and the money kept pouring in for the Sakhee's Secret two-year-old filly to win the Mullins Tyres Pearl Series Fillies Classic.
Mystery Show paid a winning dividend of $2.80 but she had her supporters concerned for much of the run to the post.
Innes bounced Mystery Show out to track the leader Lady Bullbars and that's where she sat until ranging up on the home turn. Lady Bullbars then kicked strongly on the fence and was holding the lead until inside the last 150 metres.
Once collaring Lady Bullbars, Mystery Show was then attacked on the outside by the strong-finishing Pincanto, who briefly looked likely to run her down.
However, Mystery Show was a head in front at the finish, while there was a half-length back to Lady Bullbars, who held third.
Though punters were worried, Innes says he always felt Mystery Show would get up to win the race.
"She got a bit lost because she had always found the rail in her trials but I knew we'd get up," said Innes. "She was strong past the line."
Cambridge apprentice Brendan Hutton had been aboard Mystery Show in each of her trials wins, but Innes was well aware of her talent.
"I've ridden her in a bit of work and I know she can gallop," said Innes. "It was a good effort today against horses who have raced and there's a ton of improvement in her.
"She's big and burly now and will make a nice three-year-old."
Mystery Show is trained at Byerley Park by James Bridge for Ian Farrelly, who co-bred her from his Stravinsky mare Showstra, a one-race winner over 2000 metres.
Mystery Show can be expected to excel over much more ground than the 1200 metres she encountered at Avondale.– NZ Racing Desk.
Mystery Show had won three trials by an aggregate of 12 lengths and the money kept pouring in for the Sakhee's Secret two-year-old filly to win the Mullins Tyres Pearl Series Fillies Classic.
Mystery Show paid a winning dividend of $2.80 but she had her supporters concerned for much of the run to the post.
Innes bounced Mystery Show out to track the leader Lady Bullbars and that's where she sat until ranging up on the home turn. Lady Bullbars then kicked strongly on the fence and was holding the lead until inside the last 150 metres.
Once collaring Lady Bullbars, Mystery Show was then attacked on the outside by the strong-finishing Pincanto, who briefly looked likely to run her down.
However, Mystery Show was a head in front at the finish, while there was a half-length back to Lady Bullbars, who held third.
Though punters were worried, Innes says he always felt Mystery Show would get up to win the race.
"She got a bit lost because she had always found the rail in her trials but I knew we'd get up," said Innes. "She was strong past the line."
Cambridge apprentice Brendan Hutton had been aboard Mystery Show in each of her trials wins, but Innes was well aware of her talent.
"I've ridden her in a bit of work and I know she can gallop," said Innes. "It was a good effort today against horses who have raced and there's a ton of improvement in her.
"She's big and burly now and will make a nice three-year-old."
Mystery Show is trained at Byerley Park by James Bridge for Ian Farrelly, who co-bred her from his Stravinsky mare Showstra, a one-race winner over 2000 metres.
Mystery Show can be expected to excel over much more ground than the 1200 metres she encountered at Avondale.– NZ Racing Desk.