My Country wins first on new Eagle Farm
Sydney filly My Country wrote her name into the record book as the first winner on the new-look Eagle Farm racetrack, but there could be bigger credits to come in her career.
Trainer Peter Snowden gave My Country an unusual preparation, taking her to Kembla Grange at her first run back from a spell where she beat older horses in a benchmark 65 race on May 28.
The run boosted Snowden’s confidence in taking My Country to Brisbane for the Listed Lancaster Stakes (1200m) for two-year-old fillies on Saturday.
My Country ($6.50) did the rest, beating the favourite Invincibella ($3.90) by a 1/2 length with a head to Non Pariel ($7.50).
“We have had Brisbane in mind for her for some time and the lead up was very good. She was good at Kembla and I do think she can go on to win more stakes races,” Snowden said.
He said My Country would now have a short break before coming back for the spring three-year-old races.
“She has a very good turn of foot, but whether she is just a sprinter or filly that will get further time will tell,” Snowden added.
The race was the first run on the new-look Eagle Farm racetrack which underwent a major redevelopment during a 22 months hiatus.
Jockeys gave the track the thumbs up after the first race.
Winning jockey Blake Shinn said the track had played truly and been good to ride on.
“There was no kick back and it certainly felt good underfoot,” Shinn said.