Consistent filly Rainbow Dash added further valuable black-type to her outstanding two-year-old campaign with a gritty victory in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa.
The Jenna Mahoney-trained filly has only
finished further back than second on one occasion in her six starts to date and
that was when running sixth on an unsuitable heavy track in the Gr.1 Sistema
Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in March.
Narrowly beaten in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes (1200m) back in February the Showcasing filly claimed her first victory at stakes level when she out-finished race favourite Whiskey Neat and pacemaker Ramazzotti to claim the day's feature event, despite racing three-wide for most of the journey.
Mahoney, who also part-owns the filly with Michaela Murray's Murray Bloodstock operation and Geoff Wolfe, was thrilled to see her pocket rocket knuckle down and take out the race.
"She tried really hard today, which was good to see for a little filly, as they were a lot bigger than her those horses in the race," Mahoney said.
"I think the big weight last time (when running second) cost her and now she has gone back to a filly's weight it was easier for her.
"She definitely has a lot of positives about her as she tries really hard, although she is only small, so that is a good sign."
Rainbow Dash will now head to the spelling paddock before Mahoney gets her ready for a crack at some of the early-season spring three-year-old features.
"When she missed a couple of races over January with a foot issue, we kept her in work a little longer to try and get a black-type win out of her," she said.
"That has paid off.
"I think she can get over more distance as she doesn't pull or over-race and is happy to be out the back although one of her big assets is the ability to go forward.
"I think she will get a mile but if she doesn't, we will keep her to the sprint races."
Rainbow Dash was purchased out of the Cambria Park draft for $14,000 at the 2018 Book 3 sale at Karaka.
The win also marked a big day for former Haunui Stud-based shuttle stallion, Showcasing, who was also represented by the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) winner, All About Magic at Riccarton, read about here here. – NZ Racing Desk
