Off the back of a stylish barrier trial victory, the connections of Michael Freedman’s Zoustar filly Uncertain Glory appear to have a promising runner on their hands as the 2yo looked all quality when capturing the Ranvet Plate (1000m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
With eight of the ten runners making their debut, four runners started under double figure odds with the Freedman’s Uncertain Glory jumping the second elect behind Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) filly La Barrita who headed to the races with three Melbourne trial efforts under her belt.
When the gates crashed open, it was race 200/1 outsider Too Delicious who went forward to take up the lead with Home Affairs filly Coral in second while first emergency Palmanova was sitting handy in third after a good get away from the inside barrier.
Settling down just worse than mid-field, Uncertain Glory was appearing to appreciate the solid tempo up front while race favourite La Barrita was even further back with just two behind her.
As Too Delicious took the field into the home straight, those runners behind the leading trio all swung wide with Uncertain Glory finding herself in a challenging position as Tommy Berry was looking to make up ground.
Sweeping past the leaders with 100m to run, Uncertain Glory hit the lead to pull clear by a long neck margin from Yulong’s Palmanova who had come along the inside to finish in second, just a short neck ahead of the fact finishing La Barrita.
With this race having produced the likes of Lady Shenandoah, Clean Energy and Agarwood, stable rep Sophie was over the moon with the winning debut of Uncertain Glory.
“She was very good, very impressive.”
“Look, she's very versatile. For a horse that's not been to the races before, she's so laid back and easy to do everything with, which I think went in her favour today.
“It didn't quite pan out the way that we wanted to originally because we wanted to be a little bit positive from the gate and she didn't jump that great, but Tommy managed to get her into a nice spot and just sit quiet until the until the um space approached and he was great.
“Like I said, that was a massive improvement again from her last trial where she was able to get out in front and she's not really had to be around horses like that before. But I definitely think when she gets over a trip, she'll be one to watch.
As for where to next?
“I think he's got a couple of options. Peter, her owner, is here and he's quite keen on the idea of going up to Queensland, so we shall see.”
Fresh from winning Monday’s rescheduled running of the $1m The Archer at Rockhampton, Tommy Berry had not ridden the filly in any of her trials but was aboard when it mattered.
“Yeah, she's a lovely filly,” said Berry. “Very leggy. We've always really liked her at home.”
“I thought her biggest query today was the 1,000m. I thought she'd be better at 1,100 and 1 ,200. She's just a bit impatient in the gates. She was a little bit the same when Rachel trialled, and she's not pinging the barriers, but she's got good speed after that.
“We were able to find the back of the favourite, which took us everywhere, and she got a little bit lost about the furlong, but I love it when Kerrin’s filly came to her outside. She really knuckled down late.
“Michael enjoys taking his young horses for a trip away, and it seems to hold him in good stead come the spring.”
Purchased by Wynne Pastoral Partnership for $270,000 from the Widden Stud draft at the Inglis Easter yearling sale, the Widden Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Mrs A McDonnell, Mr J McDonnell, Ms M Butler and Mr S Mekertichian-bred filly is the fourth winner from five to the races out of the G3 placed Sebring mare Positive Problems.
Positive Problems’ Jacquinot filly sold at this year’s Inglis Premier yearling sale, while the mare foaled a colt by the very same sire in the spring before behind covered by Zoustar’s G1 performed son Zousain.
Uncertain Glory’s full-sister Zambrosia sells at the upcoming Magic Millions National broodmare Sale as Lot 572 in the Te Akau Stud draft.
Currently sitting in second position on the Australian General Sires’ Table, reigning Champion Sire Zoustar has once again had another stellar season so far headed by the multiple G1 winner Joliestar.
Standing the upcoming breeding season at a fee of $275,000 (inc. GST), Zoustar is the sire of five mares at Thursday’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale while Coolmore will offer Iphimedia (Lot 72), the lone mare covered by the Widden Stud based sire in the catalogue.
