A couple of three-year-old fillies put their hand up when breaking through for their maiden wins at Taupo on Wednesday, with feature targets firmly in the crosshairs for the pair.
Jomara Bloodstock’s Oratia Beauty struck first when she proved too slick for her rivals when taking out the Fox & Hounds Taupo (1300m).
The daughter of Too Darn Hot was slow to jump and jockey Matt Cameron urged her up along the rail to sit three deep behind Magic Carpet and Kygo Star, where she enjoyed an economical passage.
Turning for home, Cameron was able to guide her through a gap and alongside Kygo Star they were able to run down the leaders, with Oratia Beauty getting the better of her rival in the concluding stages to win by a long neck.
“I ended up three back the fence and she travelled nice, and she won nicely,” Cameron said.
Trainer Kylie Hoskin was hopeful of a bold showing on the Soft5 track and was pleased to see her filly deliver on a better surface.
“Matt had said he didn’t want to be on the rail but that is where we ended up (because of the tardy beginning). It was a really nice run and she was strong to the line,” Hoskin said.
“She has always shown us a lot. We ended up on wet tracks, and she ran well, but I was hoping today, back to a better track, that she would really show us what she was capable of, so I am rapt with that.
“I wanted to get a win on the board today and look at where we can go from here. I think she has got some nice races in her this season.”
A race later, another promising three-year-old filly in Places To Be comfortably took out the Prezzy Card Northern Country Cups Series (1300m).
She jumped away well from her ace barrier and was taken straight to the front by leading jockey Craig Grylls. The pair dictated terms up front and continued to build on their advantage, eventually running out to a four-length victory.
The daughter of Hello Youmzain had shown plenty of ability in her trials and trainer Kelly Van Dyk was rapt to see replicate that in her debut.
“It was very impressive,” she said. “Her work this week has been sensational, she has worked the house down and I was very happy with her trial heading into today.
“We knew she had ability, but it was her first start in a pretty hot field, so you never know, but I am very happy.
“She is very tough and kudos to the team at home who have done a fantastic job with her. She has got that will to win, but she is not easy. Hopefully she can go on with it.”
Van Dyk, who co-bred the filly with Ben Kwok and races her in partnership with Kwok and bloodstock agent Bevan Smith, has high hopes for Places To Be this spring, with the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November firmly in the crosshairs.
“Those lucrative three-year-old races are always what we are trying to aim for,” she said. “We have nominated her for the Guineas, that is the dream, but we will see.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
