CHRISTCHURCH - Motukarara trainer David Miller expected a good showing from Kym's Girl in Saturday's $10,000 Rangiora Cup, but regarded the mare's storming win - at the expense of hot favourite Arctic Chief - as something of a Christmas bonus. "Yes, this is a pleasant surprise. I really thought she would need the run," Miller said.
"She had a week off after the last night of the New Zealand Cup meeting (November 19), then another quiet week."
Kym's Girl was brought home with a perfectly-timed finish by regular reinsman Colin de Filippi to advance to a class eight assessment.
"We were using the race to get her ready for the Ashburton Cup (3200m) on Boxing Day," Miller said.
"She's only had one go at the 3200m, winning at Addington during cup week. Colin was confident before that race that she would cope with the distance.
"She backs up well. She had three runs in 10 days at the cup meeting.
"The way things went today suits her best, being able to come with one run at them. After Ashburton our goal will be the big mares' races at Addington."
Miller said that a start in next year's New Zealand Cup would be on Kym's Girl's programme if she made the final two steps to an open class assessment, and thought was already being given to a breeding career. "We are considering doing an embryo transplant with her next year, with Beach Towel a likely stallion.
"I feel the embryo transplant is the way to go. I lost a mare a while she was foaling not so long ago - everything is lost when that happens."
The John Lischner-trained Arctic Chief - a $1.85 favourite on Saturday - was gallant in defeat. He was up parked out 1700m from home, applied pressure to Warloch at the 500m, and strode to the lead at the straight entrance for driver Ken Barron. Arctic Chief, who was timed over his last mile in 2:1.8, will be improved by the run, his first since November 12, and will again be among Kym's Girl's rivals in next Sunday's Ashburton Cup.
De Filippi's brother Mike also employed patient tactics to win the main event for trotters, the 2600m John Blackie Memorial Trot, with Sundowner Bay.
Sundowner Bay was a $2.25 favourite in his first start since chasing the sensational Lyell Creek home in last month's Dominion Handicap.
He was conceding the leaders a generous start in the middle stages but swept past his rivals with ridiculous ease when asked to lengthen stride in the run home.
The Melbourne Interdominion contender posted a time of 3:21.8 - from a 30m handicap - and cut out his last mile in an impressive 2:0.7.
De Filippi plans to start the Sundon 6-year-old again at Ashburton, and he will fly the horse from Auckland to Melbourne on January 10.
De Filippi is confident Sundowner Bay will cope well with the demands of the Melbourne series. He is expected to race on all five nights of the carnival. - NZPA
Racing: Kym's Girl may get chance at NZ glory
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