Three-year-old filly Wessex proved too swift for her older rivals in yesterday’s Group 3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) as she secured a dominant front-running victory.
Jockey Kozzi Asano went handlebars down from barrier rise on the Andrew Forsman-trained daughter of Turn Me Loose as he set up a break of more than six lengths midway during the 1400m contest.
It was apparent Wessex was still travelling sweetly for Asano turning for home. However, she started to shorten stride at the 250m as On The Prowl and race favourite Sumi began to close appreciably.
Wessex found plenty in reserve though, as she maintained her gallop to the line, winning by more than two lengths and sealing her first victory at stakes level.
Forsman, who enjoyed a long and successful partnership with the now-retired Murray Baker, celebrated his first black-type success in a solo capacity when Francesca triumphed in last year’s Rotorua Stakes (1400m), and the Group 1 winning conditioner was able to land the feature in successive years.