There is no black-type for the Polytrack Provincial Championship final (1400) at Royal Randwick but the connections of Serene Miss can console themselves with the $270,000 winner's cheque.
One of seven starters in the race for Kris Lees, Serene Miss came from well back in the field under Jason Collett to overpower Newsfan (Zoffany) by a length with Plaisir (Choisir) a short-neck back in third. (photo Steve Hart)
It was the third consecutive win for the 4yo daughter of Northern Meteor, advancing her overall record to six wins from seven starts with earnings of $547,370.
It was the second win in the race for Lees after Danish Twist two years ago.
"You could easily make a case for her being undefeated," Lees said.
"Today was her first time at the trip and a month between runs so it was a very good effort.
"She's got an electric turn of foot and it was terrific to see it even at the end of 1400m."
"She profiles very similar to Danish Twist and is probably better than she was at the same stage
"I think she's a mare that could figure in some better races in Queensland over the carnival. I've got no doubt she's at least up to Group level."
Lees said the Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting on April 28 or the two-day Scone Cup carnival on May 11 and 12, would be on the agenda for Serene Miss.
The Provincial and Country Championships have been one of the great success stories of The Championships at Randwick and there is an interesting sidelight to the races with newspaper editors invited to 'support their local horse'
The Central Coast Express Advocate was the lucky newspaper to draw Serene Miss with the paper's Editor, Tony Curran, saying: "We're thrilled to see Serene Miss win the Provincial Championships Final on behalf of the Central Coast Express Advocate. "And we're even more delighted for our nominated charity Shoebox Revolution. "The charity was set up by two Central Coast sisters with the simple aim of filling a shoebox with of essential items for the homeless. "We must thank TAB and Racing NSW as the $5000 prize will go a long way towards providing these care packages for those in need."
Owned by stable stalwart Judy Wanless, Serene Miss was the most expensive purchase in the field having been knocked down for $525,000 from the Attunga Stud draft at the 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
A half-sister to the 2015 Listed MRC Alinghi Stakes winner Vezalay (Shamardal), Serene Miss the sixth winner from as many to race out of the stakes-placed Flying Spur mare Tactfully.
A sister to the Listed stakes-winner Roulettes and a half-sister to multiple Group III winner and Group 1 placed Royal Discretion, Tactfully died in October 2015, shortly after foaling a now 2yo filly by Zoustar who failed to meet her $150,000 reserve at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Tactfully also has an unraced 3yo filly by So You Think named Measured Response.
Serene Miss comes from the fourth and final crop of the much missed Northern Meteor whose son Zoustar currently tops the first season sires table.
