In Brief
- After sale purchase shows promise.
- Essex shows staying promise.
- Filly likely to spell after maiden win.
A filly purchased after failing to make her reserve at the 2019 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale could develop into a smart stayer.
Essex (Rich Enuff-Dexcellent) delivered a stylish display to register her first win at her fifth start at the Good Friday meeting in Launceston and her trainer John Blacker says the filly could have a bright future.
“We looked at this filly at the sale and made the owner-breeder an offer after the sale and that’s how we ended up with her,” Blacker said.
“She showed us very little early on, so I tipped her out and started again and while she still does nothing flash on the training track, she started to show a bit in her races.
“Two starts back in Launceston she ran a bottler for a game second and I took her to Hobart last week where she had absolutely no luck.
“Today she was ridden forward from the inside gate and I thought it was an impressive win.”
Rider Siggy Carr made full use of barrier one to fire the filly to the front and when taken on mid-race she eased to take a sit.
In the home straight the heavily backed Skilendra ($3 into $1.55f) loomed three-wide to take control but when Carr asked Essex for an effort, she hugged the rail and regained the lead and went on to win comfortably.
Essex hit the line clear of the fast-finishing High Maintenance ($17) with the favourite hanging on for third.
The filly was passed in at $15,000 with a reserve of $20,000, but Blacker would not disclose his purchase price.
Watch Essex win a maiden in Launceston on Good Friday.