Promising juvenile filly Pounce did just that at Ellerslie on Saturday when running over the top of her rivals to take out the MyRacehorse 1100 for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.
The daughter of Almanzor jumped away well under Jasmine Fawcett, who elected to take her back to settle three back in the running line behind race favourite Fatal Affair.
She tracked the Stephen Marsh-trained filly into the race and slungshot off her back with 200m to go and showed a good turn of foot to reel in the leaders and score a 1.3 length victory.
“She took a little bit to settle but once she did I was really happy with her in the running,” Fawcett said. “I stalked the favourite around the corner and when I said go she changed legs and gee she is fast.
“She is right up there with one of the best two-year-olds I have ridden, I rate her highly.”
Pounce has shown plenty of promise for her trainers, winning a trial at Pukekohe in December before making her debut in a strong juvenile field at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, where she was unplaced, before heading for a spell.
Co-trainer Andrew Scott said she derived plenty of benefit from the break and strengthened a lot, which was telling when winning her 850m trial at Te Awamutu last month prior to Saturday’s winning effort.
“She came here (Ellerslie) on Boxing Day and just got a bit keen in a race where she was up on speed and the winners were coming from the back,” Scott said.
“The team wanted to pop her aside and just give her the opportunity to strengthen and regather. Her trial was brilliant at Te Awamutu and Craig (Grylls, jockey) got off her that day and said she is flying.
“We couldn’t have been more pleased with her work on Tuesday morning at Matamata, so we were confident that she was going to race well.
“It was so good to see her settle, Jasmine gave her a nice trip, and she quickened well.
“It was great to get a good win for a large group of owners that have been very patient with her.”
Scott is excited about Pounce’s future and said she will strengthen a lot with another spell over winter.
“She will improve the same amount again with another break,” he said. “Whether we crack on too much now or we concentrate on the spring. It is all in front of her, she will only get better with time and experience.”
By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
