Miss beats stablemate
Classy filly Aristocratic Miss returned to winning form with a courageous victory in the Blue Star Print Benchmark 78 Handicap (2100m) at Sandown Lakeside on Wednesday, July 3.
Trainer Tony McEvoy supplied the quinella with Aristocratic Miss beating stablemate Sweet Mischief in a photo.
A drifter from $3.50 to $6.50, the three-year-old filly, ridden by Dwayne Dunn, scored a head win from Sweet Mischief ($4 fav) with Casa De Lago ($12), a long head away third.
Dunn took Aristocratic Miss to the lead with 1600 metres to travel and rated her perfectly.
Sweet Mischief moved up to challenge on the home turn and looked to have her stablemate covered but in a thrilling finish, Dunn ‘lifted’ Aristocratic Miss to a photo-finish win.
Stable spokesman Darren McLeod said the stable had been confident of running the quinella.
“Both horses came here today looking their best and in good form,” McLeod said.
Melbourne stable foreman Michael Shepherdson said there had been a query about the filly at the trip.
“Her mother was suited at 1200m, but this filly has always indicated she could get a middle distance,” Shepherdson said.
“It was an 11/10 ride by Dwayne today.
“She had a good base going in to today but as a three-year-old filly against older rivals, and a big weight, she did an excellent job.
“She can go back to Saturday company now, and with a better tempo she can sit just off the speed.
“The filly has a bit of value being stakes-placed as a two-year-old.”
Today’s win was Aristocratic Miss’ third from 22 starts with 10 placings and for stakes of $270,840.
Winning jockey Dwayne Dunn said Aristocratic Miss had run well.
“It was a race devoid of speed,” Dunn said.
“We probably didn’t want to be the leader but got to the front very easily.
“They really rushed at me on the corner but to her credit, she lifted and got off the canvas.
“Good work by Darren Thomas (part-owner) and Mark Pilkington because they wanted to get her out in trip.
“She toughed it right out and hopefully can get back to Saturday company.”
Dunn said he had tried to nurse the filly around the home turning believing she had more to give.
“She was down in less superior ground turning for home and I let her travel through it before giving a kick.
“It was important in the first half of the race that she was able to idle.
“She was a bit of a question at the trip but to her credit ran it out strongly.”