Meteoric Lass Emphatic at Awapuni

Given an armchair ride in front by Chelsea Burdan, Meteoric Lass (5 m Stratum - Benatar, by Distant Music) proved too good winning the $25,000 JA Russell Electrical Rating 72 1400 metres on 14 November at Awapuni.

The win provided trainer Jamie Richards with three wins on consecutive days, following Ginger Too (Iffraaj) on Tuesday at Te Aroha and Leaderboard (Street Cry) on Wednesday at Riccarton.

A genuine competitor and aided by weight relief to 53.5kgs, Meteoric Lass presented in terrific order, sprang barrier nine to lead, and after travelling sweetly it looked pretty obvious approaching the home turn that she had matters under control.

“She tries hard and had been knocking on the door, so it was good to see her get a well-deserved win,” said stable foreman Mason Stevens. “She's always shown a lot, right from the start when winning her first two.”

Winning by nearly two lengths, Meteoric Lass ran the 1400 metres in a respectable 1:24.1 on footing upgraded a race earlier to Dead5 and paid $5.10 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“We had planned to go forward, ideally sitting half a length off the leader, but she took up the speed,” Richards said. “She went quickly enough, but with her allowance and the way the track was playing she got away with it. 

“She's a mare with good consistent form and I was really pleased to see her win because John (Galvin) backed our judgement that we could keep her sound, after an injury last season, and thankfully it's all come together well. 

“There's now a chance she can get through to the next grade and possibly pinch some black type somewhere. She's best placed with a little bit of easing in the ground and I think she enjoyed the track today.

“The team at the main stable, Tracy Collis and Kate Belsham, have done a great job in getting her to the races in such good order. She's got a lovely demeanour and a stable favourite.”

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $50,000 at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Kitchwin Hills, Meteroic Lass is owned by the Fortuna Meteoric Lass Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin). Only once further back than fourth, her consistency is reflected in the record: three wins, two seconds, a third, and three fourths, from 10 starts. She is a sister to dual stakes winner Meteoroid (Northern Meteor), who won eight times over 1200m/1400m in Australia, from a mare that has left four winners of 16 races. 

“Mark (Walker) and I were at the sales with Dave (Ellis) when he bought her early in the sale (Lot 60),” Richards said. “She was an okay type, there was certainly nothing wrong with her and sometimes early in the sale, often when people are still feeling their way for the first 100 lots, with the values etc, we picked her up quite cheaply.”

John Galvin said: “She had been a bit slow to mature and patiently handled to win her first two starts. At the end of day she is a hell of a nice horse and David (Ellis) has again done a great job in selecting another multiple winning horse within our budget range.”

Meteoric Lass was strapped by Tom Harrison.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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