Striking filly Miss Vista wins again
Three-year-old filly Miss Vista has striking looks and the ability to go with it.
Trained by George Osborne, Miss Vista was a much-hyped filly going into her second start at Flemington on Monday and the baldy-faced sprinter got the job done again to remain unbeaten from two starts.
Miss Vista is a bay horse with a white face and four long white socks, similar to former star galloper Apache Cat who became a crowd favourite during his career which featured eight Group One wins.
Kyneton-based Osborne said the build-up and media interest in the filly heading into Flemington had been incredible since she made an impressive winning debut at Ballarat last month.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Osborne said, adding he could appreciate what the trainers of horses of far greater standing went through.
“This horse has only had two runs and already become the people’s horse,” he said.
“So I can appreciate what you’ve got to go through. And it’s a good story.”
Miss Vista’s victory gave 16-year-old apprentice Ben Allen a moment he will not forget – his first winner at Flemington at his first ride at the famous racetrack.
“It’s amazing. I didn’t really expect to be riding a winner at Flemington, a year after I started,” he said.
Osborne said Miss Vista would be given a break and he would look to raise the bar next preparation and beyond.
“She’s not fragile but she could be if I went too far,” he said.
“I think we can look at some early spring races with her for sure, and I would think next autumn she could be a serious horse.
“If we do the right thing and cuddle her, we could have a lot of fun.”
The $2.35 favourite, Miss Vista led the field and held off the late challenge from Fleur Fatale by a neck with another 1-1/4 lengths to Saraswati.