This Listed 3yo filly mile was run at a solid clip and saw a last start maiden winner down from the North Island take the spoils easily. In fact the first four home were all prepared from North Island yards. No Pushover after leading early then taking a trail shot clear halfway up the run home and scored by two lengths in 1:35.03. The time is relevant as the following race, an Open Handicap mile also at Listed level, saw the winner given exactly the same time mysteriously. If that is true then it adds to the gravitas of the No Pushover win as she was strong at the line. No Pushover was winning her second race and clearly being blinkered played a role. Goodsav the favourite ran home stoutly from well back (crowded early) for second and only got into the runner up spot the final 15m. Deedee Panache ran on well for third and had second sewn up until the closing stages after sitting midfield the inner then getting off across the top. Sleek Secret fought on well for fourth after sitting third the outer and having the eventual winner on her inner until turning for home. Not Available was the first South Island trained runner home in finishing fifth and she had a good sit fifth or sixth the inner throughout. Black Sav ran on okay late for sixth while the maiden Little Haast caught the eye for seventh after being crowded early and would be odds on back to her own grade next time seen out. Queen Serene, Poetic Affair, De Chine (maiden), Princess Davone and All In Vogue ran on okay too or were not too bad the final stages. The winner has scope if the Riccarton time can be trusted and the race is sure to be a reasonable form source for the rest of this season and next as the depth of New Zealand racing in modern times has always been the filly and mare.
Previous Winners
| Date | Horse | Jockey | WT | Trainer | BP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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|
KISSES
(NZ)
3F IFFRAAJ (GB) - LA MARMALADE (AUS) MARSCAY (AUS) |
D G BRADLEY | 56.5 | MARK FRASER-CAMPIN & CHRIS CAMPIN | 3 |
|
|
MERCURY MISTRESS
(NZ)
3F NO EXCUSE NEEDED (GB) - FLYTAINE (NZ) CENTAINE (AUS) |
B R LAMMAS | 56.0 | L NOBLE | 1 |
|
|
THE PEARLER
(NZ)
3F VOLKSRAAD (GB) - THE FRECKLE (NZ) GROSVENOR (NZ) |
J D LAKING | 56.0 | A G DENNIS | 7 |
|
|
GRACE PARK
(NZ)
3F DANSKE (NZ) - STELLA STARGAZER (NZ) VOLKSRAAD (GB) |
T R MOSELEY | 56.0 | STEVE ANDERTON | 11 |
