Well-related mare Watersports added a second win to her record with a track-record-breaking victory in the A$80,000 Big Swing Golf Handicap (1500m) at Cranbourne on Saturday.
The promising four-year-old is a half-sister to Grail Seeker, the winner of last season’s Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) and Telegraph (1200m) for Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott. Grail Seeker will head to Trentham to attempt to defend that Telegraph title next Saturday.
Watersports herself brought strong form credentials into her Benchmark 70 assignment at Cranbourne, having been beaten by small margins when second at Seymour and third at Sandown in her two previous appearances in this campaign. The Archie Alexander-trained mare was sent out as a $3.10 favourite on Saturday, and she produced a well-timed finish to win in the hands of jockey Craig Williams.
Drawn gate two, Watersports jumped well and took up a handy position in third along the rail. A strong speed was set by Porter, who had a clear lead throughout and poured on even more pressure coming down the side of the track and around the home turn.
Porter still had a clear lead halfway down the straight, but Williams angled Watersports off the fence and the pair set their sights on the tearaway leader. Watersports warmed into her work and charged past Porter in the final 50 metres for a narrow but impressive win.
The time of 1:28.72 was a new track record for 1500m at Cranbourne.
“She had a good spot, but they were going very hard and it’s not easy to sit at that top speed and then quicken in the straight, but she did it,” Alexander said.
“We got a bit of luck at the right time with the gap appearing at the top of the straight. It looked like we might be a gallant second, with Porter giving a good kick and going well clear. I thought we might be in trouble. But she’s always been incredibly game. It was a good, strong ride and she got there.
“She’s always been on the verge of having a big win like that. She’s had a second at Flemington in the past. Even though she hasn’t won for a while, she’s been a very consistent mare.
“She’s well bred, a half to a Group One winner, and she’s a lovely type. This is great for all the connections.
“With that page that she has, it would be great to look at an Adelaide autumn stakes race with her. She’s just kept on improving. She’s now a city winner, and we’ll just creep along from here.”
Watersports was bred by Jamieson Park and is by Ocean Park out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Starwish.
Lime Country Thoroughbreds offered Watersports during the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where she was bought for A$75,000 by Alexander Racing and Rogers Bloodstock. Watersports has now had 13 starts for two wins, seven placings and A$112,100 in prize-money. – NZ Racing Desk.
