Racing: Daffodil blooms again

Class mare Daffodil returned to New Zealand racing in the best possible style recording an effortless fresh-up victory at New Plymouth yesterday.

The outstanding 4-year-old was having her first start since an unlucky outing in last year's Melbourne Cup and produced a ruthless home stretch sprint to win the $40,000 Open Sprint.

Opie Bosson had Daffodil nicely positioned in fifth and pulled her to the middle of the track in the home stretch to reel in the leaders.

Daffodil lengthened stride quickly to power away from the opposition to score by 1 lengths over the pace-setting Jazzella with a further half-head back to Miss Caruso (third).

This was a particularly bold performance considering the favourite had to carry the top weight of 58kg. Daffodil had one trial outing to prepare her for yesterday's 1100m sprint scoring an easy victory. She will back up again next Sunday when contesting the Group One 1600m weight-for-age event at Otaki.

Part-owner Gary Chittick was thrilled with the winning performance recorded by Daffodil.

The run was a little beyond out expectations as this distance is well short of her best but the good stayer's can sprint well fresh, said Chittick.

If she pulls up well after this race she'll race in the Group One at Otaki next Sunday. We had a bit of a mix-up as originally we were going to Melbourne for the Australian Cup but we got the dates mixed up.

She'll race at Otaki then head to Sydney for two races at Easter time, the Ranvet Stakes then the BMW which is over 2400m.

Anyone who gets a mare like this to race has to be enjoying themselves and we're having a great time with Daffodil.

Daffodil broke the $1 million stake earnings barrier with yesterday's victory and she is very capable of doubling that figure with her proven racing record in Australia.

CONSISTENCY WAS rewarded when Viduka capped a series of consistent performances with a well-deserved victory at Ellerslie yesterday.

The 5-year-old mare sat in second position throughout the 1600m event and lengthened stride quickly in the home stretch to score comfortably over Heredity and Natsinga (third).

Viduka has been a solid performer at Ellerslie scoring one win and four minor placings from seven starts.