American Pharoah (USA) mare About Time continued her love affair with the new Ellerslie track as she completed a hattrick of victories when taking out the Victoria Racing Club (2200m) open contest on Saturday.
The Lance Noble-trained four-year-old is well known for her dislike of the starting barriers and she was at her belligerent best as she made her rivals wait before loading away, however once into stride she left no excuses with a strong staying performance to score narrowly but well.
Regular rider Warren Kennedy was quite content to let her travel well within herself towards the rear of the field before easing into contention approaching the home bend.
About Time quickly joined issue when asked for an effort as she claimed Taranaki visitor Final Return at the 200m and fought him off to take the win by a long neck without appearing in any danger of defeat.
Kennedy was pleased with the ease of the win as the mare heads towards a possible tilt at the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) on Champions Day at Ellerslie on 8 March.
“It was pretty easy for her as they didn’t go overly hard, which helped her,” Kennedy said.
“She was travelling beautifully and she has a great turn of foot when we need it, so she pounced on those leaders really quickly at the top of the straight and kept on running to the line.
“I wasn’t too hard on her as we have other races in mind, so she had a great outing.
“When you need it she can kick up on the bridle and make up two or three lengths quickly, but she settles so beautifully and waits for you to ask her to go.
“She is in a great vein of form and has a confidence about her, so she is up to it (the Auckland Cup).”
Bred by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay and racing in their well-known black and gold chequered colours, About Time is out of Fastnet Rock mare Romantic Time, making her a half-sister to multiple Australian Group One performer Young Werther.
She has now won five of her 13 starts, including the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m) as a three-year-old and over $314,000 in prizemoney. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
