Gaining black type for a breeding career was at the forefront of trainer Graeme Richardson's plans for consistent mare Queens Rose this winter and the first tick in that column was achieved in style at Tauranga yesterday.
A heady ride from jockey Vinnie Colgan that saw him hug the inside fence throughout the run home enabled the gallant mare to stave off a desperate challenge from race favourite The Filly to score in the days feature event, the Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (1400m) for the fillies and mares.
Hustled forward to sit outside the pacemaker Eveready in the early stages of the race, Queens Rose was guided to the inside rail by Colgan as the field began to swing wide as they entered the home straight. Among the immediate pursuers was The Filly who moved to the middle of the track to challenge before drifting towards the rail as she chased in vain after Queens Rose. Vigorous riding by Colgan saw his charge hold an advantage to the winning post where she scored by a long neck.
In the process, Queens Rose reversed the result of her last meeting with The Filly where she had to play second fiddle to that mare over the same distance in an open handicap event at Ellerslie. Three-year-old filly Choice battled home nicely for third albeit six lengths behind the first two.
"She's a good mare and it was a superb ride wasn't it," noted Richardson after the race.
