Racing: Mare heads to NZ after bright victory

Photo / Richard Robinson

Outstanding Illuminates farewelled Sydney racing with a trademark swooping victory in the Listed Toy Show Quality at Warwick Farm yesterday.

The 6-year-old has been a mainstay of Graeme Rogerson's stable since her 2-year-old season but tomorrow heads to New Zealand where she has a booking to Swiss Ace.

Owner Gerry Harvey's racing manager Claire Bird said the three Group One races that make up the Hastings triple crown were on the agenda before Illuminates settles down to broodmare duties.

"She is on the plane on Monday night and will go for the weight-for-age treble as long as the tracks are wet," Bird said. "If they aren't she probably won't run in them all.

"She's booked to Swiss Ace and may come back and race when she's in foal but she's done a great job no matter what happens."

Carrying top weight of 60kg, Illuminates ($12) got back to last in the 1400m feature and Blake Shinn bided his time until the field straightened.

Illuminates responded to Shinn's urgings in the straight as the jockey unleashed her down the outside.

She went on to beat Vintedge ($16) by half a neck with two lengths to Spirited One ($4.40).

The disappointment of the race was the $3.50 favourite Raihana who was having her first start for David Payne.

After travelling midfield the UAE Oaks winner couldn't keep up and finished last, more than 18 lengths from the winner.

Illuminates leaves Australia with 10 wins and 17 placings from her 55 starts.

Lost For Words left her trainer just that with her performance in the first part of her 2400m assignment at Warwick Farm, but David Atkins only had kind words at the end.

The mare struggled early in the Markey Saddlery Handicap with favourite backers nervously waiting for jockey Jim Cassidy to work his magic.

The veteran didn't disappoint and took her up to the leaders before the turn.

She knuckled down to the task and held off Telesmon by three-quarters of a length with Superreact another 1 lengths away third.

It was just the seventh start and the first at the distance for the daughter of champion sire of stayers Zabeel. But her racing future is uncertain with a stud career looming.

- AAP