Trainer Paul Messara is hoping his blueblooded Dundeel x Miss Finland filly Miracle Of Love has done enough to earn a spot in the $1,000,000 Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 10 after breaking her maiden over 1350m at Doomben on Wednesday.
Ridden by Jake Bayliss, Miracle Of Love looked to be in trouble when trapped behind the leader on straightening. Andrew Mallyon made the first run on the Hellbent filly Bangetta before Miracle Of Love found clear air and quickly cut back the margin. The daughter of Dundeel defeated Bangetta by a neck with two lengths back to the Dundeel colt Et Tu Brute in third.
A meritorious third on debut in the Listed Woodlands Stakes at Scone on May 13, Miracle Of Love takes her earnings to $36,000, which moves her to 19th in the entry for the JJ Atkins Stakes.
“She’s a lovely filly. It was tricky today because she was slow out of the gates and had to niggle a bit as they ran fast early sectionals,” Paul Messara said.
“It was a good ride and got the job done.
‘She was strong through the line, and we always thought she would be better over further. We will see how she comes through this, and the JJ Atkins is possible. Hopefully, she has earned enough prizemoney.
“That has always been the plan, but if needed, there is a plan B.
“Just getting her away from the farm and having this experience will hold her in great stead.
“She will spell up here (at Julian Blaxland’s Newington Farm) for the winter to keep her away from the cold weather at Scone.”
A homebred for Arrowfield Stud Miracle Of Love is a half-sister to Group 1 MRC The Thousand Guineas heroine Stay With Me (Street Cry), the dam of dual Listed stakes winner Watz On By (I Am Invincible).
Miracle Of Love is the sixth winner for the champion Miss Finland (Redoute’s Choice), whose five Group 1 wins included the Golden Slipper and VRC Oaks.
Ottavio Galletta’s Galletta Constructions purchased a three-quarter brother to Miracle of Love, by his dual Group 1 winner Castelvecchio, for $280,000 when consigned by Arrowfield Stud to the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Miss Finland has a weanling filly by Dundeel and was covered in December by Street Boss (USA).
Miracle Of Love is the 12th 2yo winner of the season for Dundeel. He joins stablemate Snitzel, Russian Revolution, and Capitalist on that mark with only Better Than Ready (15) and Spirit Of Boom (13) ahead of him.
