Promising two-year-old filly Bavella destroyed her rivals in the Listed Splice Construction Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe on Saturday.
The Snitzel youngster had impressed when
winning on debut at Ellerslie last month and was installed a warm favourite for
the event.
An awkward barrier draw saw her sit out three-wide in the early running before lodging her challenge at the top of the straight. In the hands of Leith Innes, Bavella shot clear when asked to go before cruising to the line nearly four lengths clear of debutant Aalaalune, who finished best of the chasing pack.
"She's a professional horse with plenty of improvement in her," Innes said.
"It wasn't an overly strong field but she relaxed good and she's a class filly."
Bred and raced by Cambridge Stud owner Brendan Lindsay and his wife Jo, Bavella is a daughter of useful Zabeel mare Zonza who numbered a win at Group Three level at Caulfield amongst her five career victories.
"It's pretty exciting as I think she's pretty special," Brendan Lindsay said.
"She might go in the paddock now and have a little break as she has done enough.
"It is so exciting although you try not to get ahead of yourself.
"We've now got black-type for her and black-type for the mare we've got at home.
"The mare (Zonza) is in foal to Almanzor, our new stallion, so it's exciting times for Jo and I. – NZ Racing Desk
