Racing: Filly shows she is all class in near-record run

Alinghi helped to re-define the word class when she just missed the Morphettville 1200m track record without being asked for an effort in yesterday's A$300,000 Robert Sangster Stakes.

The Lee Freedman filly was magnificently ridden by Damien Oliver and raced away from some smart female talent.

Alinghi settled mid-field on the outside, moved up wide on the home corner and put the opposition behind her in a blinding flash.

Her brilliant 1200m time of 1.8.58 was 0.2 of a second outside the track record. Freedman was using the race as a guide to Alinghi's future programme and it looks very likely she will next take on the Cadbury Guineas (1900m) at Flemington on March 12.

Waikato Stud-owned Glamour Puss made a lot of ground to finish an excellent second ahead of Solar Antiquity and the fast-finishing New Zealand mare Gee I Jane in fourth place.

Gee I Jane was making her Australian debut. She settled with only a handful of runners behind her and finished powerfully, giving the impression a little more distance than the 100m might suit her better at this stage of her preparation.

Kounthecash put his name down as Australia's most improved galloper when he won the A$170,000 Mornington Cup (2000m).

The 4-year-old by Kashani crossed the Tasman after only three New Zealand starts, which yielded a win in a 1400m maiden race at Ellerslie on April 10.

From Lee Freedman's stable he has now won his last three, pulling in A$88,064 before yesterday's standout victory.

The win was yet another feature for Melbourne's rapidly rising star, apprentice Nicholas Ryan.

Ryan is tipped to win a staggering total winners for the season of around 170.

Kounthecash started favourite on the New Zealand tote at $4.15 and professional punters claimed he would have been a $2 shot in Australia but for a wide barrier draw. He ran a Mornington 2000m course record of 2.03.07.

Classy New Zealand stayer Gerrard started at $17 on the Victorian TAB and finished 11th.