Exclusive Lass rewarded her varied group of connections with a well-deserved stakes win in the Rosemont Stud Stakes at Geelong on Wednesday.
Her owners were rewarded as the daughter of Widden Stud’s Nicconi is now assured of a breeding career at some point in years to come. The win also took her prize money to over $120,000, following two previous wins.
Her breeders were rewarded with the success of their mating plan, justifying sending her dam World Exclusive (by Zabeel out of Arletty) to the young sire Nicconi. Exclusive Lass is his fifth stakes-winner.
She was actually sold as a weanling to Paul Willets, who then included her in the draft of Three Bridges Thoroughbreds at the 2013 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. Knocked down to noted bloodstock agent Sheamus Mills, this win rewarded Paul, Three Bridges and Sheamus with a stakes victory for their role in her career.
Loyal clients of Blackiston Racing joined Sheamus to buy into Exclusive Lass, and she took her record to three wins and four placings from just nine starts. But she had to do it the hard way, being posted wide much of the race and without cover.
Kerrin McEvoy, who was very keen to retain the ride on her after a luckless run at Caulfield, retained composure and balance, and Exclusive Lass responded accordingly. She charged home late and kept finding to the line to score a narrow win.
“Nice mare, very honest and she tries so hard,” said Nigel.
“It was a great effort to be four and five wide facing the breeze and still win. It’s so important for them to get Black Type and she’s done it.”
Lightly raced, there is sure to be plenty more wins ahead.
