Racing: Legs top weight, top filly

Class filly Legs bounced back to winning form effortlessly at New Plymouth yesterday scoring a gallant victory in the Rough Habit 3-Year-Old.

The brilliant sit-sprint filly carried the top weight of 58 kilograms and unleashed a blistering home stretch sprint to score a narrow nose victory over the little- fancied Kruger Valley.

A further short neck away in third position was Mirkola Lass.

The daughter of Waikato Stud-based stallion Pins has been a sensational performer in five career starts scoring three wins and two second placings.

Another to impress was the Stephen and Trevor McKee-trained Solvini who posted a strong win in the (Group Three) $45,000 Ford 2-Year-Old Classic.

Solvini carried plenty of support heading into this race after an eye-catching last-start performance to finish fourth behind Italia in the $500,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Classique at Te Rapa.

The daughter of Bertolini took full advantage of a handy barrier two draw while the hot favourite Master Hunter was forced to work hard from a wide 14 alley.

Solvini scored by 4 lengths over Master Hunter with a further length to Shortblackmini (third).

Completing a great day for the equine females was the powerful performance of Madame Shinko to win the $50,000 (Group Three) Hooker Pacific Taranaki Cup.

Madame Shinko and Andrew Calder reeled in the opposition with ease to win by a half a length over Prince Of Toffs.

Skycity Auckland Cup contender All Square was disappointing battling into seventh although he finished only 2 lengths from the winner. Punters should be reminded, however, that All Square will jump up in distance from 2000 metres to the 3200 metres of the Auckland Cup in 11 days time and may have lacked the necessary sprint finish to lengthen stride yesterday.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY