The Stephen Marsh-trained Girlsarebackintown and Frank Ritchie's talented Australian bred Stryker filly She Is Stryking collected their maiden victories to set up a clash at Wanganui in the Listed O'Leary's Fillies' Stakes on September 5.
Marsh got more than he had bargained for when Girlsarebackintown, third in both the Group III Phoenix Park Classic and the Listed Champagne Stakes last term, raced away with the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race.
"I thought she would be lost for a bit of early speed and would run on, but the heavy track helped and she's tidied up a pretty good field," he said.
"We used this as a lead-up to Wanganui and then we might go to Ellerslie. We'll probably dodge Hastings and there are quite a few options for her."
Girlsarebackintown settled back in the field before she improved across the top and she drove clear in the straight to turn the tables on Magic Dancer, winner of the Phoenix Park Classic at their last meeting.
Danielle Johnson rode Girlsarebackintown and she also guided She Is Stryking to
victory in the Mark Ewen & Associates 1200."She tracked up nicely behind them on the turn and it was a nice run," Ritchie said. "I've been looking at Wanganui for her and this was a perfect set up for that."
He is confident She Is Stryking, a minor placegetter in last season's Group II Wakefield Challenge Stakes and the Listed Murdoch Newell Stakes, will make an impression over more ground later in her preparation.
"She's by a son of Fastnet Rock out of an Encosta de Lago mare so I think she'll get a mile," Ritchie said.
A $24,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale Summer Book purchase for her trainer from the Musk Creek Farm draft, She is Stryking is the second winner for Fashion Gala, a daughter of stakes-winner Fashion Victim.
This is the family of Group III winning stayer and Caulfield Cup place-getter Celestial Show, so She is Stryking may very well enjoy a slightly longer trip as her campaign progresses.
She is Stryking is the sixth winner for Three Bridges Thoroughbreds foundation sire Stryker, whose oldest progeny have just turned three and include promising stakes-winner Strykum, who is set to resume from a spell at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
The blue-blooded son of Fastnet Rock stands at a fee of $11,000 this spring.
