Wwe were pleased with the efforts of our three runners over the weekend.
On Friday night Exclusive Lass ran in the Listed Abell Stakes. She jumped from barrier 1 which we expected to be favourable for her. With the rain in the preceding 24 hours however, we were keen to try and take a sit behind a leader then peel off their back to finish strongly – much like she did when winning at Moonee Valley last year.
Jumping so well from the barrier however, it was difficult for Katelyn Mallyon to hold her up and allow It Is Written to cross in front of her. So led we did, and bravely, only to be run down in the final 50m by the well credentialed gallopers Reldas and Onerous.
On to Bendigo on Saturday, and Amarela ran very well in the Bendigo Gold Bracelet. Nigel and connections were pleased with her efforts in the Group 3 Bellmaine and Group 3 Mannersism Stakes at her first two runs this preparation. Against the very good mares, she performed creditably in those races, so we were expecting a solid performance on Saturday dropping back in grade.
Staying at 1400m was probably the only slight concern, and that’s pretty much how it panned out. Amarela kept coming at the leader in the final 100m to finish a close third. It was just as pleasing to see her strong after the finish line as we look for her to return to stakes company over 1600m and further in coming weeks.
Down at Geelong, we sent the promising filly Prime Appeal to run in the 1700m maiden. Unfortunately ballotted out of some races over the past ten days, Prime Appeal made the big field and appreciated the soft ground. Stepping up to 1700m, a distance we have been looking long and hard for her, she was positioned positively by Dean Yendall. We think this daughter of Savabeel will come into her own when she gets out to 2000m. So we were wrapped to see her finish strongly for second and beat the third horse comfortably.
