Racing: Filly is all about attitude

Lance O'Sullivan still shakes his head every time he looks at muscular 2-year-old filly Hpnotiq. The Pins-sired filly bulldozed her massive frame through the heavy track conditions at Ellerslie yesterday to post an easy win in the hands of Cameron Lammas by two and a quarter lengths over Dawdy.

A further 1 1/4 lengths away in third position was Bebekay. "She was the tallest 2-year-old in this race today and I'm sure a few people would be wondering what I'm doing racing such a big filly at this time of the year," O'Sullivan said.

"Generally 2-year-olds that are built like this filly would be out in a spelling paddock but she has continued to show gradual improvement over the last eight weeks.

"I gave her two trials earlier on this season for a third and second placing, then she had a break," he said. "When she came back into training I took her straight to races when she most probably wasn't quite ready and she didn't fire.

"With the benefit of the experience from that race and another trial run under her belt she was ready for a bold effort today.

"Again you never really know how racehorses will handle the winter track conditions but this filly did it pretty easily.

"I'll give her a couple more race starts this season then she can have another let-up.

"This filly has a very good attitude which is important because nothing really seems to upset her.

"I do think she'll come back a much better racehorse next season and another pleasing thing is that she can cope with any type of track conditions she strikes."

O'Sullivan has had a pleasing start to his debut season as a professional trainer for the Matamata-based Wexford stables, scoring 39 wins and just over $600,000 in stake money.

Dawdy was gallant in defeat carrying the massive topweight of 56 kilograms and fighting on in determined style in the home stretch to close in on the winner.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY