Filly fires for Elwick win
WELL-bred three-year-old filly Zewinna broke through for a well-deserved win at Elwick on Sunday where she gave her rivals a galloping lesson in the Winning Edge Presentations Maiden over 1400m.
Zewinna had placed second at her two previous starts and punters were confident she could atone for those luckless efforts by backing her in to start the $1.80 favourite after as much as $2.70 was bet when markets opened.
The John Blacker-trained grey (Tough Speed-Rustical) settled worse than midfield and raced wide throughout with in-form apprentice Chelsea Baker aboard, but she rode to instructions by settling the filly where she was comfortable.
When Baker called on Zewinna for the big effort in the straight she bounded clear and went on to score comfortably from Gone Global ($17) and Jackjack ($10).
“The filly deserved the win and, more importantly, it was a Tasbred Bonus race, so the owners picked up an additional $16,000,” Blacker said. The filly was bred by Armidale Stud, which earned a $4000 bonus as part of the incentive scheme.
Blacker said he was in two minds about where to place the filly next.
“When horses are in good form at this time of the year it’s sometimes better to keep them in work and racing, because it is bitter cold where we are [Longford] and they are better off in the warmth of stables, but I’ll see how she pulls up and decide next week which way we go.” VICTORIAN trainer Tony Romeo ventured to Tasmania with three horses and two have won so far, the latest being Thoughts’N’Prayers, who delivered a courageous effort to take out a benchmark 62 handicap over 1400m on Sunday.
Thoughts’N’Prayers (David Pires) mustered speed early to share the lead and when asked to extend turning for home, the son of Keep The Faith sped clear and went on to win effortlessly from the heavily backed Captain Dave ($15 into $2.80 fav) and Luca Bratzi ($9).
“I was very happy with this horse’s effort today because he had to be used up early in front, and then proved too strong for them at the end,” Romeo said.
“I am confident he will be good over more ground.
“And that’s what I’ll do next start and then take him back to Melbourne for a run or two.”
Romeo’s first winner in the state was four-year-old mare Nina Carmella, who debuted with an impressive win after being backed in from $17 to start at $2.50.
THE Glen Stevenson-trained Reward Achiever proved she can match it with quality sprinters when she came from last to win the Kevin Sharkie Handicap over 1400m.
Reward Achiever ($7) was having her first try in open company and answered the question that her trainer wanted answered.
“I wanted to see where she fits and this looked an ideal race to test her, and she’s come through with flying colours,” Stevenson said.
“The solid tempo up front suited her, but she still had to deliver at the business end.
“I told ‘Darma’ [rider Anthony Darmanin] that she was fit enough and ready to run a race and I’m glad she delivered.”