Merrily Makes Memories

Backed as if nigh unbeatable, Waikato Stud filly Merrily (3 f O'Reilly - Mchappy, by Rory's Jester) distanced her opponents when clearing maiden ranks over 1400 metres on Thursday at Hastings.

Boasting the best form in the race, Merrily returned only $1.60 & $1.20 on the NZ TAB but victory by just shy of five lengths meant punters never had any concerns.

The win by Merrily provided Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman with his 66th and probably most comprehensive victory of the season.

“We decided to use her today and put her in the race,” said Bridgman. “She was fresh up from a bad gate last time at Avondale, without a trial, so we had no option but to ride her quiet.

Merrily got back on that occasion over 1200 metres after being squeezed at the start but ran home stylishly for third to Rockwell (Fastnet Rock).

“Today I said to Matthew (Cameron) that she is giving her races away, losing too much ground, and this was a pretty impressive performance."

Cameron had Merrily away smartly from barrier six, before steadying for cover in fourth. On the move to avoid being smothered passing the 600 metres, it was evident on straightening that she was travelling clearly the best and kept up to the mark she raced away to win easing down.

In clocking 1:23.8 for the 1400 metres on perfect track conditions, Merrily indicated in the manner of her victory that she could continue to follow in the footsteps of her illustrious family.

“She's got a quality there,” said Bridgman. “She's a half-sister to Glad (Pins) that we trained to win the Anniversary Handicap (Listed, 1600m), from a very good family and of course O'Reilly (Last Tycoon) as we know is a very good sire. So we're delighted to get the win for Waikato Stud in a difficult week."

On debut last November at Matamata, Merrily had surged home stylishly for third to Irish Moon (O'Reilly), ran home strongly for second to Rough Copy (Perfectly Ready) next time out at Taupo and had always given notice that a win was close at hand.

“I put her in the race today, she was the best horse and came away nicely,” said Cameron. “She'd never been that handy, so you're never quite sure what you're going to get coming to the last 600m but she handled it nicely and was by far the best horse on a nice track."

Her dam Mchappy was a two-year-old winner over 1000 metres in Australia and a half-sister to Scandinavia (Snippets), the grand-dam of champion mare Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), who retired unbeaten in twenty-five starts including fifteen Group One and stakes of $7.9 million.

On her dam side, Merrily is inbred 4 x 5 to Wilkes (Court Martial). A French thoroughbred that became a leading sire in Australia, Wilkes was sire of the stallion Vain and champion mare Wenona Girl.

It was a special win as Friday sees the funeral of Lisa Chittick - Lisa named all of the Waikato Stud horses and her names were always cleverly thought out - Merrily joins Lisa's honour roll of winning horse's she has named.

Picture credit - www.raceimages.co.nz