The Melbourne track’s moisture suited Sydney contender Satono Glow perfectly as she notched a strong success at Flemington.
The Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) on Saturday promised a head-to-head between punters’ pick Gin Twist ($2.10) and Jadzia ($3.10).
Both fillies carried experience racing down Flemington’s straight, an advantage that often translates to better results next time.
Rain overnight and on race day created a heavy track that was the big question mark.
In the end, it favoured Satono Glow ($4.20), who scored by three lengths with Jamie Melham aboard from the $41 shot Salann, Gin Twist third by a nose.
Jadzia dropped back after leading briefly with Gin Twist, crossing the line fifth and eight lengths behind the victor.
Prior to Saturday’s event, Melham felt optimistic that Satono Glow could outrun her preferred stablemates owing to her fondness for give in the ground, confirmed by her winning debut at Warwick Farm March 11.
“I was confident but with fillies down the straight for the first time, you don’t want to leave it too late because they can promise the world and then get lost,” Melham said.
“Credit to the team educating this little filly. She was a bombproof ride today and I feel that the Sydney horses normally go well in the wet as they are used to being trained on the softer tracks up there.
“She loved the wet today and the way she got through it, this horse was a very easy ride in the end.
“Her attitude really impressed me. She’s a small horse to the eye but the feel she gave me, she felt like she had a really big stride underneath her and she settled like she will get further in time.”
Jade Lys, on behalf of John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, mentioned no set agenda for the filly, but expects her to head back to Sydney, scouting races during The Championships period.
“We couldn’t have been happier with her since her last start,” Lys said.
“She won in the soft last start, so we were not worried about the rain today.”
Visit leading betting sites to check racing betting markets for the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes.