Racing: True pace sets up Travis success

Photo / Trish Dunell

Pace made the race for Abidewithme at Te Rapa and the well-related mare took full advantage of a strong tempo to record a career highlight victory in yesterday's group two Travis Stakes.

Trainer Jason Bridgman said the mare had been a victim of slowly run races on numerous occasions and she had now received her due reward.

"Down the back there were a few horses trapped wide and they went forward to put the pressure on.

"The 2000 metre races aren't always run genuinely.

"She hits the line strongly at a mile, but the good sectionals haven't been there for her at 2000m.

"I don't think I've ever had a horse in training that deserves a big race more than her, it's fantastic."

Raced by her breeders Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Abidewithme is a daughter of Redoute's Choice and the group two winning Zabeel mare Crimson, who is also the dam of the group one performer Miss Scarlatti.

"I'll speak to Sir Patrick and there may be more ahead for her next season," Bridgman said.

"She's been a slow maturer and she'll go to the paddock now."

Abidewithme's victory was also a treasured one for rider Michael McNab, whose career has been hindered by weight issues.

"I want to thank Sir Patrick and Jason for keeping me on," he said. "I can't speak highly enough of the mare, she gives 120 per cent.

"She's got a beautiful temperament and she always wants to win."

Abidewithme settled back in the field and she was able to finish over the top of the defending champion Lauren Tate with Decorah a brave third.

"She had every opportunity and got to the lead 150 metres out so there's no excuses," Lauren Tate's owner-trainer John Morell said.

Meanwhile Shees Flawless gave Sam Spratt a high speed thrill at Te Rapa that turned back the clock to the jockey's glory days as the regular partner of a dual New Zealand Horse of the Year.

The strapping chestnut filly produced a sizzling display to run her rivals into submission in Saturday's group three Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders' Stakes.

Such was the electric display of front-running, that Spratt was moved to say she hadn't felt that sort of power since combining with the multiple group one winner Mufhasa.

"That was pretty impressive and I didn't have a clue that she was going so quickly," she said.

"She's so big and strong and the main thing with her is to just get her to settle in the running."

Shees Flawless, who had won her previous two starts in Spratt's hands, revelled in her work at the head of the field and when she slipped clear at the top of the straight the chasers had no answer.

She had two and a half lengths to spare at the post and cut out the 1200 metres on a dead track in a slick 1.08.89.

— NZ Racing Desk.