5 Win Tuesday - Off To The Nunnery Shameless

As tough as old boots, Off To The Nunnery (3 f Turn Me Loose - Clos De Tart) won the $14,000 Maiden Fillies & Mares 1100 metres on 3 January at Matamata.

Set an arduous task from barrier 13 by jockey Craig Grylls, Off To The Nunnery was up punching the breeze three wide on pace, but it mattered little in the finish as she knuckled down to draw clear mid-straight and win extraordinarily well.

A trial winner in October at Waipa, and close up after being caught wide when trialling at Avondale, Off To The Nunnery fought well on unsuitable Heavy9 footing when debuting in the Maiden 1200 metres on 9 December at Tauranga, and appreciated better footing.

In the race named Become a MRC Member, Off To The Nunnery ran 1100 metres in 1:05.6, last 600m in 35.5, on Soft5 footing, and paid $10.60 & $2.50 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a very tough effort after racing wide on speed,” said trainer Mark Walker.

“I think she's got a bit of upside, this filly, and will get over more ground once she matures.”

Off To The Nunnery was bred and is owned by Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, Glenn & Cathie Holmes, and Cheryl Renouf, who were also involved in The Racy Ladies' Syndicate (Mgr Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) that raced her dual winning dam Clos De Tart (Darci Brahma), who has already left stakes' placed Shameless Tart (Shamexpress).

Clos De Tart was out of impressive winner Rapid Kay (Towkay), who showed appreciation for yielding ground in a career of five victories from 1300m to 1600m. She also placed third on two occasions at Group One level.

Trained by Mark Walker at Te Akau's Matamata stable, Rapid Kay remained etched in the mind of David Ellis after beating his future Champion Three-Year-Old and Horse of the Year King's Chapel (King of Kings) in the Canterbury Stakes (Listed, 1600m) at Riccarton.

Ellis subsequently secured Clos De Tart for $70,000 at the 2011 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Little Avondale Stud.

Off To The Nunnery provided the second winner on the programme for Windsor Park Stud stallion Turn Me Loose (Iffraaj), after stable-mate It's Business Time won earlier in the Windsor Park colours.

Off To The Nunnery was strapped by Cooper Stumbles.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz