Racing: Favourite home by a nose

Driver Colin De Filippi had to call on all his renowned skills to land Lifeiswhatyoumakeit a winner of the $12,000 New Zealand Sires' Stakes fillies heat at the Phar Lap Raceway, Timaru, yesterday.

One hurdle confronting Lifeiswhatyoumakeit was a second-line draw and initially De Filippi was confident it could be overcome.

But when the mobile barrier was released Lifeiswhatyoumakeit settled toward the rear and her driver was called upon to make some delicate decisions.

"I was told not be scared to put her in the race," De Filippi said. "I thought she had enough speed to get around and sit parked but it didn't work out that way."

When De Filippi was improving three wide around the field with the $3.90 favourite she was not travelling at her best.

"In her previous two races she had been in front and not had to do much," he said.

"This time she fought me a bit and got on one rein which meant we were left out three wide."

De Filippi waited and waited before bursting through 200m out to win by a nose from the fast finishing Parklane Royal.

"She got home well but toward the post she wanted to duck in a bit," De Filippi said. "I thought I might have just hung on."

He believes the Badlands Hanover filly has a good future.

"She will be a chance in the bigger races coming up."

- NZPA