Ron Quinton claimed his fifth win in the Listed Reginald Allen Quality when talented filly M'Lady Pedrille led all the way at Randwick yesterday.
Quinton won the race as a jockey on Affectionate in 1969 and M'Lady Pedrille's victory was his fourth as a trainer after Mamzelle Pedrille (1994), Hitapotomoss
(1995) and Faith Hill (2001).
M'Lady Pedrille ($10) began brilliantly from a wide barrier to take up the running and she was able to hold off a late lunge by the favourite Zutara ($4.20) to win the 1400m event by half a head.
Secret Admirer ($6) flashed home late for third, a neck behind Zutara.
Quinton has a big opinion of M'Lady Pedrille but hasn't committed to a start in the Group One Flight Stakes (1600m) next Saturday, believing the filly will be a much better horse next year.
"She has the scope to be an even nicer filly in the autumn," Quinton said. "I don't want to be hurrying her.
"I would like to look after her for the long term.
"She's always shown she can gallop but she hasn't had a lot of luck with things like bad barriers. "
The three-year-old's Reginald Allen win was her first at stakes level and came on a day which has been very successful for the filly's family over the years.
M'Lady's Pedrille's half-sister Madame Pedrille won the Listed Nivison on this day 12 months ago.
And Mamzelle Pedrille, a full-sister to M'Lady Pedrille's dam Damzelle Pedrille, won the Reginald Allen in 1994 and returned in 1996 to win the Bill Ritchie Handicap.
Gai Waterhouse plans to back Zutara up in the Flight Stakes (1600m) next Saturday with the filly also being set for the VRC Oaks in Melbourne.
- AAP
