Promising three year-old Mastercraftsman (IRE) filly
Thee Auld Floozie crowned a great day out at Ellerslie for Stephen Marsh and
Danielle Johnson when she brought up a hat-trick of wins for the formidable
trainer-jockey combination.
Her victory in the Group III McKee Family Sunline Vase followed the respective
$30,000 maiden successes on Wednesday of her stablemates King's Cross and
Alicudi
"It's been a fantastic day with three winners for the Marsh stable," Johnson
said.
If the 23-year-old had been unsure of her ride in the Gr.1 Wellfield New
Zealand Oaks before Ellerslie, she was more certain after it with Thee Auld
Floozie her Trentham favourite.
"She's confirmed that she's going to the Oaks with a great chance now," Johnson
said. "I think I'll be sticking with her."
Thee Auld Floozie had won a prelude event at New Plymouth at her previous
appearance and she comfortably handled the step up to 2100 metres on Wednesday.
She sat two pairs back off the rail and was dogged in the straight to account
for the stablemates Saavoya and Charmont and post the fourth win of her nine
start career.
"She got a nice run behind Saavoya and out-toughed her in the straight," Marsh
said. "She's got such a good temperament that if she draws a nice alley in the
Oaks she'll go to sleep and she's got to be a good chance."
Thee Auld Floozie is now the joint $7 third favourite with Platinum Witness for
the Oaks behind Savaria ($4) and Saavoya ($6).
Not offered at auction, Thee Auld Floozie is the best of three winners from
stakes-winning Spinning World mare Thee Auld Hussie, a daughter of Group III
winner Thee Auld Dragon.
She is the eleventh stakes-winner for Mastercraftsman, who shuttles from
Coolmore to Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand.