The benefit of raceday experience was clearly evident when two-year-old filly Flaunting trounced her age-group rivals at Matamata.
The David Greene-trained runner had looked
a likely type when finishing on resolutely behind the impressive Yourdeel when
making her debut at Te Rapa a fortnight ago.
That experience stood Flaunting in good stead as she bounced well from an inside barrier to sit behind the pace during the early stages of Saturday's contest.
Angled off the fence shortly after the field turned for home, Flaunting quickly dashed to the front where she maintained a solid gallop to score by a length from local runner Sizzler, who made up good ground in the closing stages.
"She was a bit awkward around the bends last time but they get so much benefit from that first day to the races," Greene said.
"She used that experience and showed what she has shown us for a while in trackwork."
With the victory taking the Showcasing filly above the $12,000 mark in stakes earnings she is handily placed to obtain a spot in the rich Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie in late January, a target that Greene has firmly in his sights.
"We might as well roll the dice with a million dollars up for grabs," he said.
"She has been a little bit of a slow burner, not an out and out two-year-old type, but I've got a great bunch of owners in her and we're heading in the right direction."
Rider Sam Spratt was enthusiastic about Flaunting's future prospects when questioned about the race.
"She was really tidy last start," she said.
"We got a nice trip in behind them and when the one outside the leader rolled off, she got a beautiful trip through and found the line nicely.
"She's pretty cruisy and tractable and although probably not a two-year-old type, she's doing it on ability and I think she is a lovely filly."
El Roca filly Bella Mente appealed as one to watch in the future after nearly falling in a home turn skirmish before picking herself up and charging home late to finish up in third placing. – NZ Racing Desk
