Bright future predicted for Sunburst
Matamata trainer Danica Guy believes her promising three-year-old Sunburst has a bright future ahead of her after she delivered in style on her home track on Saturday.
The Mastercraftsman filly had indicated she was ready for a breakout performance after finishing sixth in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) at her most recent start.
Dropped back to rating 65 grade the grand-daughter of outstanding race mare Seamist put on a powerful performance as she strode clear in the run home to destroy her older rivals in the Bayleys Mount Maunganui Top Office Handicap (2000m).
Guy had been confident of a good run from the filly who has taken time to hone her ringcraft to a competitive level.
“She didn’t help herself by getting away from the gates a little tardily which she can do,” she said.
“She just keeps improving, although she is getting better, but she still has a lot to learn.
“I think she is going to be a pretty nice mare when she puts it all together.”
While Guy has faith in her charge’s ability to rise to the next level she did express some regret that her lack of maturity had counted against her contesting some of the earlier three-year-old features.
“I think if she had had a couple more runs under her belt it might have been a different story,” she said.
“We sort of ran out of time with her. She hasn’t been the fastest learner but that will have been a good confidence builder for her.”
Sunburst is out of the Entrepreneur mare Spray and is a younger half-sister of useful performer Corsage who was stakes placed on four occasions including finishing third in the Gr.1 Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie as a two-year-old.
The win provided rider Cameron Lammas with an early double on the seven-race card after he had guided Lady Shabeel to victory one race earlier.