Back on track and faster than before

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Learning from race experience last Autumn and physically developing in great style over winter, Fastbrook returned to the races to win her first up assignment at Wangaratta yesterday.

In the Autumn, Nigel tested Fastbrook in BM64 grade at Sandown when she was still eligible for maiden company. She won very impressively then ran creditable races at Listed and Group level in Adelaide over 1600 and 1800m.

As is always the case after a few starts (Fastbrook had five up until yesterday), Nigel has learned that this mare by Yarraman Park’s Hinchinbrook should ideally be racing around the 1300-1600m distance range. Much like her family that include Musidora, Sacred Eye and Tulip.

Yesterday’s Peter MacAllister WTC Hall of Fame Class 1 Handicap at Wangaratta was a little short of her “pet distance”, being 1170m. But it was an ideal kick off for the Spring.

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Fastbrook (NZ) wins the Peter MacAllister WTC Hall of Fame Class 1 Handicap at Wangaratta. (David Thorpe/Racing Photos)

Thanks to Beau Mertens for another cool ride, as he is often providing. It was a tight race approaching and rounding the corner, and he had to navigate back towards the inside of runners in the final 200m. He did that whilst maintaining momentum and keeping Fastbrook comfortable. Just as she did under Luke Currie’s riding back in March at Sandown, Fastbrook responded well.

We need to boost her rating by going through some grades in early Spring before hopefully having a crack at some of the black type races mid and late Spring. So with her rating lifted to 69 now, perhaps there is another good win in BM70 grade somewhere before tackling higher company. As is often the case however, she will tell Nigel what she is ready for and when.

Congratulations to all connections, an ownership group put together by great clients of the stable. We are also pleased that Catriona and Royston Murphy of Sledmere Stud have retained some ownership in the filly they sold as a yearling.

Thanks also go over to Little Avondale Stud in NZ who sold Fastbrook as a weanling, thereafter prepared by Sledmere to sell at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Fastbrook is by the well-credentialed stallion HINCHINBROOK out of a half-sister to the Group winner and great producer MUSIDORA (dam of TULIP and SACRED EYE). Deeper in her pedigree lies FLYING SPUR, ENCOSTA DE LAGO and PEAR TART. So she has a wonderful pedigree to back up her looks and racetrack performances to date.