Russian Revolution already has a smart 2YO in Australia this season in Seeiaye and produced one in New Zealand on Sunday when Lara Antipova bolted away to win on debut by eight lengths!
One punter breathed a little easier following the Manco Maiden 2YO (1150m) at Te Aroha, with their $10,000 outlay paying off when Lara Antipova romped to victory.
The Fortuna Syndications-raced filly had shown plenty of ability at the trials, finishing runner-up in her 800m heat at Ellerslie in October before winning over 800m at Avondale last month.
She was subsequently backed into $1.80 favouritism in her debut on Sunday and duly delivered.
The striking filly rocketed out of the gates, alongside Alohamoana, and she settled well outside of the early pacemaker.
When asked to improve at the top of the straight she quickly responded, opening up on her rivals and running out to a comfortable eight-length victory with Craig Grylls in the saddle.
Sam Bergerson, who trains Lara Antipova in partnership with Mark Walker, was impressed with her debut effort.
“She was electric,” he said. “Her trials leading in had been good.”
While she has still been a bit green in her work at home, Lara Antipova raced like a true professional and Bergerson is excited about her future.
“There is still plenty of improvement and furnishing up we think, she still does a little bit wrong at home,” he said. “She was very professional today and hopefully there are some nice targets for her over the summer.”
Stakes targets are now in the offing, which could come as soon as Trentham in a fortnight where she could contest the Group II Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m).
“While they are up and going it is good to carry on,” Bergerson said. “The Wakefield is a quick turnaround, or the Eclipse (Gr.2, 1200m, at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day). They look like two nice initial potential targets.
“We will get her home and see how she pulls up and have a good chat with John (Galvin, Fortuna), Mark (Walker), Dave (Ellis, Te Akau principal) and the team, and work it out from there.”
Lara Antipova was a $100,000 Magic Millions purchase from Vinery Stud for David Ellis (BAFNZ)/Fortuna Racing and is the fourth winner from five foals to race from Artistic Lass, a metro winning half-sister by Myboycharlie (IRE) to Group winners Sistine Angel and Sistine Demon.
Vinery Stud will offer a yearling colt by In The Congo from Artistic Lass at Inglis Classic as Lot 641 and he is a three-quarter brother to Lara Antipova as both Russian Revolution and In The Congo are Newgate based sons of Snitzel.
Artistic Lass has foaled again this spring producing a colt by another of the Newgate sires in Stay Inside.
