Taranaki visitor Special Sakura upset the applecart when she led from go to whoa to bring up just her third career victory, and first at black-type level, when winning the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) at Ellerslie.
The four-year-old daughter of Novara Park stallion Staphanos had finished close up in second behind Romilly in a rating 75 contest at the course when brought north by trainer Janelle Millar on New Year’s Day.
Millar produced stable star Final Return to run a gallant fourth in the open 2200m event just one race earlier and stablemate Special Sakura more than matched that effort as she showed plenty of grit to hold out a field headed by multiple Group One winner El Vencedor, who started a warm $3.10 favourite.
Punters were prepared to ignore Special Sakura’s chances, allowing her to reach $31 in the Fixed Odds market and she made them pay as rider Chris Dell produced a front running classic to land the major slice of the $100,000 prize pool on offer.
Dell made no bones he was heading to the front at barrier rise and held out all challenges to lead clearly after 200m, despite being hotly challenged by Takeshi throughout.
Special Sakura shook free turning for home although she looked a sitting duck as El Vencedor ranged up on her outer while eventual runner-up What You Wish For tracked him into contention.
The challenge of the favourite quickly came to an end and it was left to What You Wish For and Moxie to chase Special Sakura in vain as the mare kicked away again to win stylishly by nearly two lengths.
Millar was thrilled with the performance, particularly as it opens many opportunities for the mare over the coming months.
“We’ve always thought a lot of her and I also have her full-sister at home as when Luigi (Muollo, Novara Park principal) asked if I wanted her as well I couldn’t say yes quick enough,” Millar said.
“Chris had said last time when she ran second that more ground would suit her, although halfway through the race I was worried she was going too hard.
“As it turned out she had a super kick in the straight and ended up winning quite easily.
“She is a tall, lanky thing that we have had some trouble with in keeping the weight on her, but lately she has been eating really well and looks a very happy horse.
“I haven’t looked at what is coming up but this will give her plenty of opportunity to start in some nice races and a mile at her next start might be just perfect for her.”
Dell was also delighted with just how well the mare fought when tackled in the straight.
“She just relished the extra distance today,” he said. “She flew the coop at the start and with 53kgs on your back it made it an easy decision to lead.
“She just cruised along and opened up in the straight where she just kicked so well. That was a nice field today and she won it pretty easily in the end.
“This is also such a good reward for Janelle who has really backed me throughout my career. She is like a second Mum and I can’t thank her enough for the support she has given me.”
Bred and raced by Luigi Muollo under his Explosive Breeding Ltd banner, Special Sakura is a half-sister to Group III winner Special Swey and is the second SW from three-race winner Mia Mamma who includes multiple Group One winner Explosive Jack and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Vin De Dance in her extended family. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
