Racing: Long shot triumphs in mud

Hong Kong-based owner Dominic Li is a massive supporter of the New Zealand racing industry and tasted further success at Ellerslie yesterday when 10-1 shot Jungle Juice won the $45,500 Bonecrusher Stakes.

Jungle Juice, a lightly-raced maiden filly, made a mockery of her non-winning pre-race status powering through the Ellerslie mud to post an effortless victory in the listed event for 3-year-olds.

Veteran jockey Noel Harris was at his patient best settling the filly back in the field before timing his challenge to perfection wide out in the home straight to win by 1 lengths over Military Move, with a further 1 lengths back to Warrentherooster (third).

Li races under the banner of IDL Racing and his New Zealand-based racehorses are managed by the Cambridge couple of George and Mary-anne Simon.

"Dominic purchased this filly at the Ready To Run Sale and he liked her from day one and it's a big thrill for him winning a listed race here at Ellerslie," George Simon said.

"The trainers were confident that this filly would go well on the track, as she does like it when there's rain about.

"The pre-race plan was to ride her a lot closer to the speed but things didn't work out that way. She got well off the pace but it was a typically patient and well-judged Noel Harris ride."

Li has been a prominent buyer at New Zealand Bloodstock's Karaka Yearling Sales and this filly will be part of a strong band of broodmares the Hong Kong businessman will breed from in coming years.

"Building up a strong band of broodmares is something Dominic has wanted to do for a number of years, as he's already retired the good race mare Genuine Offer from racing here in New Zealand and hopefully she'll be in foal to Zabeel," Simon said.

Jungle Juice is trained at Ruakaka and has scored one win and two minor placing from five starts.

The favourite Warrentherooster was handy to the leaders throughout and battled on solidly in the home stretch, with his sprinting ability possibly ruined by the heavy track conditions.STEPHEN McKEE has had an indifferent start to the new racing season, but was back in winning form when Masquerade caused a minor upset when taking out the $45,500 (Listed) Soliloquy Lodge Stakes at Ellerslie yesterday.

The Ardmore-based trainer has been patiently handling the daughter of No Excuse Needed and was rewarded with an impressive victory over a strong field of 3-year-old fillies.

Masquerade had no difficulty powering through the testing track conditions, effortlessly reeling in the leaders to score by a head over Posh Bec with a further 2 lengths back to Miss Bindi (third).

Masquerade's three previous race starts were at Ruakaka, but she had no difficulty handling the jump up in class. Nothing could be taken away from the effort of the winner who had to overcome a wide barrier draw and plenty of traffic to win.

One runner to catch the eye was One Swanstonstreet, who burned plenty of early petrol to lead and did well to finish within three lengths of the winner in fourth position.