Racing: Outsider takes feature

Richard Yuill was quick to deflect all praise regarding Echo Maid's upset victory in the $50,000 Northland Breeders Stakes at Ruakaka yesterday onto successful jockey Matthew Williamson.

The Takanini-based trainer was delighted with the blistering finish produced by the Made Of Gold-sired 2-year-old filly who stormed home down the outer of the track to win by three-quarters of a length over Hpnotiq.

A further one and a quarter lengths away in third position was Donna Rosita.

"I have got to acknowledge the judgment of Matthew Williamson.

"He rode this filly in her last start on this track when she finished third. He jumped straight off her and told me she would finish among the first three placegetters in this race," said Yuill.

"In fact, he told me that if she was good enough to finish in the money that she would be good enough to possibly win it. But at $61.90 [win dividend] it was obvious a lot of people didn't share his confidence.

"He's ridden this filly in a bit of her work on the training track and it was a good effort in her last start to come from well back off the pace over 1000 metres and finish third.

"The winner of that event, Donna Rosita, scored by five lengths and we came from well back to get within a nose of the second-placed horse.

"The step up to 1200 metres today also helped this filly as she finished over the top of them late and I think she'll run out a mile next season.

"Originally we purchased her as an early season 2-year-old runner but things didn't quite go to plan.

"She just needed a bit of time to mature and she is the type of filly who will come out early next season and win a good 3-year-old fillies' race.

"I've always thought this filly had the potential to be a smart racehorse and it's great for the owners that she has come out and won this race."

Echo Maid was a $35,000 purchase at the 2004 Select Yearling Sale at Karaka and the victory is the biggest to date in Yuill's solo training career since the retirement of training partner and good friend Colin Jillings earlier this year.

Echo Maid has been patiently handled by Yuill, scoring one win and one third placing (both at Ruakaka) from four career starts.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY