Racing: The Filly beats odds

Photo / Trish Dunell

The only shock Murray Neal received from his pride and joy The Filly at Hawera was the odds she returned when the mare broke through for her maiden black type victory.

Unwanted by punters at 39-1, she left no excuses for yesterday's beaten brigade when she led all the way to claim major honours in the group three Rich Hill Stud Taranaki Breeders' Stakes.

"She had no luck at Hastings last time and I knew she would be very hard to beat I was surprised at the price though," Neal said.

"She's a class act on any track and I couldn't fault her today."

The winner of nine races, The Filly had previous group three placings in the Concorde Handicap and the group three Foxbridge Plate and at Listed level in the Opunake Cup, Counties Bowl and Rotorua Stakes.

Rider Mark Hills headed straight to the lead at Hawera with the daughter of Ishiguru and she was defiant when I Do made her play for glory. The Filly kicked strongly in the closing 100 metres to deny the raging favourite by a long neck.

"I got a nice run in front, although I was a bit worried about the inside but it had dried out a lot," Hills said.

"She travelled really well and it was just a matter of waiting for that last sprint."