A dramatic way to end the day at Randwick, the Sebring filly Jal Lei winning the Group III Ranvet Wenona Girl Quality in the steward's room.
Zac Lloyd was first past the post on Jump The Broom (Sebring), but she ran out badly in the closing stages, putting the third across-the-line Tycoon Evie (Written Tycoon) down on her nose.
A protest by Zac Purton on Tycoon Evie against Zac Lloyd was upheld, and second across the line, Jal Lei was awarded the race, with Tycoon Evie second and Jump The Broom relegated to third.
Winning trainer John O'Shea was counting his blessings.
"We'll take a win in a stakes race for a mare any day. It's great for owner David Paradise," O'Shea said.
"She loves the six [furlongs] here, and Tom came up with the good idea of only trialling her once going into the race. I think it worked a treat."
Winning jockey Reece Jones was also riding his luck.
"Not how I wanted to win, but we'll take that," he said.
"It’s good for the mare getting the black type race under her belt, and whatever she does from here, I’m sure she’ll improve off again.
“I was always confident - she was hitting the line well. It was just whether or not we got there in time. Regarding the circumstances, she’s done really well and happy to get one for the boss as well.”
A $180,000 purchase for Vinery Stud from the Segenhoe Stud draft at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Jal Lei is the best of three winners from as many to race for the talented Exceed And Excel mare Lesley’s Choice.
Purchased by Segenhoe for $380,000 from the Willow Park Stud draft at the 2012 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Lesley’s Choice is a daughter of the Group III STC Research Stakes winner Fumble (Snippets), a half-sister to Group 1 South Australian Derby winner Hard To Get (Geiger Counter), and Group III winner Reputed Groom (Bellotto).
Lesley's Choice foaled another So You Think colt last spring and was covered by Capitalist.
Jal Lei is the 82nd stakes winner for the late Widden Stud stallion Sebring.
