Racing: Cowgirls N Indians scalps Aussie rivals

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Cowgirls N Indians shouldn't have been able to do what she did to win her A$312,000 final at the Australasian Breeders Crown yesterday.

Especially considering why she struggled to do it.

The Pukekohe filly gave her army of supporters a nervous final lap as she struggled to stay in contact with leader La Machane, hanging on the bends.

That saw her lose two lengths on the final bend, at which point her winning chances looked to have evaporated, until she found something special inside the final 150m.

That saw her claw back two lengths on La Machane to win going away in one of the bravest performances seen from a juvenile pacing filly in years.

The win confirmed Cowgirls N Indians as a champion filly but the reason for her hanging and her choppy stride returning to scale suggests the win took its toll.

"She was a bit scratchy warming up, nothing too serious, but she also didn't settle that well in the running," said driver David Butcher. "That is why I had to nurse her around the final bend but I knew if I got a crack at the leader in a straight line we might catch her because this filly in very good. She has real speed and also a big ticker."

So highly does Butcher rate Cowgirls N Indians he was happy to compare her favourably with former ABC winner De Lovely.

"She is in that class and not many can do what she is doing now."

For that reason alone it would be a shame if Cowgirls N Indians developed any regular soreness problems because she has the scope to develop into a phenomenal 3-year-old.

She is still all right angles and bones, with her frame needing plenty more muscle before it can truly support her massive motor.

Her win continued a wonderful Breeders Crown record for Butcher, who has also driven Changeover, De Lovely, Tintin In America and Miami H to ABC wins.

Cowgirls N Indians' win made it three from the first four races for New Zealand-trained horses, with Franco Jamar a luckless second in the next race, being run down late by David Hercules after being attacked in front.

Later, Kiwi filly Tatijana Bromac was third in the 3-year-old fillies' pace but the Australian highlight of the day was the win of Sushi Sushi in the male 3-year-old pace.

The Northern Derby winner was well driven by Greg Sugars to work to the lead from the inside of the second line inside 400m and paced a 55.1-second last 800m to win under a hold. Michael Guerin