Written by Paul Vettise
Another chapter in a heart-warming racing story was written at Te Rapa where Imelda Mary (NZ) (Ferlax {NZ}) landed the G2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic.
She is part-owned by trainer Wayne Hillis, who bought her out of Haunui Farm’s draft at Karaka for NZ$3500 and named her after his mother.
“Age is getting the better of her so it’s brilliant the filly is doing it while she’s around,” he said. “It’s a fairy tale really.”
The winner of the G2 Royal S. on New Year’s Day, Imelda Mary’s latest victory at Te Rapa confirmed a tilt at next month’s Trentham Classic.
“Age is getting the better of her so it’s brilliant the filly is doing it while she’s around.” – Wayne Hillis.
“She’ll go to the Lowland S. and then on to the New Zealand Oaks,” Hillis said. “She has always looked like distance will be her go.”
Imelda Mary was given a sweet run near the pace by regular rider Cameron Lammas and, after hitting the front early in the run home, she had enough in reserve to see off the challenges of the minor placegetters Sentimental Miss (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) and Queen Of Diamonds (NZ) (Savabeel).
“It was exactly where I wanted her to be,” Hillis said. “She was in the one-one and fought them all off down the straight. She’s pretty brave.”
Imelda Mary is a daughter of the unraced Eleesha (Encosta de Lago), who is out of a sister to the two-time Group 1 winner and former champion Australian 2-year-old filly Fashions Afield (Redoute’s Choice).
“She was in the one-one and fought them all off down the straight. She’s pretty brave.” – Wayne Hillis.
She became the third Haunui Farm graduate in the past decade to take out the Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic, joining Fix (NZ) (Iffraaj) and Vavasour (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) on the honours board for the race.
TAB bookmakers reacted swiftly to Imelda Mary’s win and she is now the NZ$7 favourite in the pre-post Oaks market with Sentimental Miss, Queen Of Diamonds and Elate (NZ) (Savabeel) sharing the second line of betting at NZ$10.
Imelda Mary was a $3500 yearling
Meanwhile, Sponge Bob (NZ) (Keeper) isn’t among the entries for the G1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby but that could all change in the near future.
“At the time the early Derby nominations were being taken he wasn’t showing much.” - Graham Richardson.
The gelding put up a compelling argument for inclusion in the Ellerslie Blue Riband event when he produced a strong staying performance to land the G2 Waikato Guineas.
“At the time the early Derby nominations were being taken he wasn’t showing much,” said Graham Richardson, who trains with Gavin Parker.
“This is just an absolute bonus. He just keeps getting better and better so we’ll have a discussion with the owners about a late entry.”
“It’s a great result and I’m chuffed for the owners, the staff and the horse.” – Graham Richardson .
Nominations for the Derby closed in November, but a late entry can be submitted by February 19 at a fee of NZ$30,000.
Sponge Bob had the leaders in his sights throughout and when asked to lengthen stride by rider Troy Harris he answered positively to get the better of the front-runner Arrogant (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).
“I told him that most of the time at Te Rapa they haul up down the back straight so if you are there you get a rest,” Richardson said.
“It’s a great result and I’m chuffed for the owners, the staff and the horse.”
