Stakes target calling smart Ashburton winner Elegant Lady
Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are casting their eyes towards stakes targets with their in-form mare Elegant Lady following her win at Ashburton on Wednesday.
It was the third consecutive win for the daughter of Highly Recommended, who was duly backed into odds-on favouritism for Wednesday’s race following a near faultless preparation.
Elegant Lady settled midfield for apprentice jockey Lily Sutherland before she asked the four-year-old to improve three-wide at the 600m mark and she loomed ominously at the turn. Her backers were put at ease when she quickly hit the front and ran out a one length victor.
“It was another really good win by a progressive mare and a lovely ride by Lily (Sutherland),” Walker said.
“She’s a nice staying prospect and we have got the Dunedin Gold Cup (Listed, 2400m) in the back of our minds, and an opportunity to look for some black-type.”
The $100,000 Dunedin Gold Cup is contested on Saturday, February 3 at Wingatui.
Elegant Lady was bred by the Te Akau Cherry Blossom Syndicate, and Te Akau principal David Ellis said it is great to enjoy a golden run with their homebred mare.
“She’s a homebred filly that has strengthened and developed into a beautiful looking mare,” Ellis said.
“She was pretty well placed by Mark (Walker) and Sam (Bergerson) to win again in the same grade, and it’s as much about keeping their confidence high when aiming for a Cup race.
“She’s always been incredibly consistent and sometimes horses that obviously try as hard as she does just need that extra bit of maturity to start winning.
“She had no trouble seeing out the 2200m, has stamina in her dam line, and stepping up to a mile and a half (2400m) may suit her.
“She’s a lovely mare, has a great attitude, and it is good to see her winning races in the south after I’d bought her mother at a South Island sale.”