Winless in 13 starts since breaking her maiden at Ballarat in March last year, the Murray Johnson-trained Pure Pride was made
The 5yo daughter of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking gained a start with the late scratchings and made it count when coming with a barnstorming finish to defeat Wyndspelle by two lengths with Saint Valorem a length away third. (photo Grant Courtney).
With just one horse behind him on the turn, Stephen Baster made the decision to stick to the fence and ride for luck.
It came soon after, spearing between runners, Pure Pride accelerated impressively to earn her first stakes victory much to the delight of trainer Murray Johnson.
"I don't have many horses to be running in these races, so it's awesome," he said.
Baster said he feared the mares run of bad luck might continue.
"Murray and the owners have suffered a bit with this mare over the years, she has not had much luck and today I thought it was going to be the same," Baster said.
"But she got the split a furlong out and exploded."
"Great job by Murray".
Passed in when failing to make her $15,000 reserve as a weanling, Pure Pride advances her record to 2 wins 2 seconds and 1 third from 16 starts with earnings of $163,810.
A half-sister to stakes-placed Acquisto (Thewayyouare), Pure Pride is the second foal of the three-time winning Shinko King mare Mamasan a sister to Group III winner Madame Shinko from the family of Group I Honda Stakes winner Pontormo (Chem).
Mamasan was purchased by Murray Thoroughbreds for $30,000 at the 2012 NZ Bloodstock National Broodmare Sale.
She has a 2yo colt by Shocking and was covered by Unencumbered last spring after missing to that stallion the previous year.
Pure Pride becomes the fifth stakes winner for Rich Hill Stud's Shocking (Street Cry) where he stands at a fee of 12,500 +gst.
