Not Bad Indeed

In training for Simms Davison (Mapperley Stud) and Chittick Investments, She's Not Bad (3 f He's Remarkable - Andra, by Zeditave) made a stylish commencement to her racing career with a dominant win in the AJC on Facebook Maiden 1400 metres on 7 March at Avondale.

The good-looking filly began smartly from barrier two for rider Michael McNab and steadied to trail nearing the 800m after an early tussle up front. She travelled on a nice rein before pouncing at the 250m and drew clear in authoritative fashion.

With one and three-quarter lengths to spare over second placed Hanger (O'Reilly), there was more than five lengths to third. She's Not Bad ran the 1400 metres in 1:24.7, last 600m in 35.5, on Dead4 and returned terrific odds of $14.90 & $5.50 on the NZ TAB.

She's Not Bad was named to race following her trial performance on 15 February at Taupo, where she went forward to situate outside the leader, forced wide rounding the home turn and sustained a strong run to photo finish with the leaders - fourth - ridden by Jonathan Riddell. Second in the same heat was stable-mate The Chaser (Swiss Ace), who resumed with a strong second earlier in day.

“She improved out of her trial at Taupo. It was a really nice win and a lovely ride by Michael (McNab),” said Jamie Richards, who trains in partnership with Stephen Autridge.

“She's a bit hard to get a line on, because she's a filly that always has a good look at things and while her work had been encouraging we probably didn't expect her to come out and perform quite as well as that. So, it's very encouraging and certainly a filly on the up.

“Simms (Davison) has been patient, spelled her when we've asked him to, and she looks an exciting filly for the owners and the stallion (He's Remarkable) which they stand. His progeny are just coming of age and with Dave (Ellis) having bought his brother, Xtravagant, for us to train and win a couple of group ones, we've obviously kept a close eye on him.”

Bred and owned by Mapperley Stud, she became the fifth individual winner for Andra, a mare that won two sprint races to 1100 metres in Australia.

“She's a nice filly and she looked to do it pretty easily,” Davison said.

“She was the last foal that Andra had and we've kept a few He's Remarkable fillies to race. Garry (Chittick), who owns the stallion with us, had said he'd be happy to race one with me if I liked her enough and She's Not Bad is the result.

“He came and had a look at a couple of fillies at the farm, and he was only too pleased to get on board with this filly. It's great that we can race her together.

“We always have a horse with David (Ellis) and Te Akau, because he's one of the biggest supporters of the industry, so it makes sense. Steve and Jamie are a great team, getting the results, and it's good to be a part of it.

“The communications are first-class and one of the things that separate them a little bit is that Jamie is very good on the phone. I'm reasonably old school, and out working on the farm, and like to talk with trainers when I get a chance. He gives me a really good sense of what's going on with her and even though he's flat out I appreciate his time.”

Davison is thrilled that the first crop of He's Remarkable (Pentire) are now starting to hit their straps, as the autumn three-year-old season unfolds.

“His progeny could well stay, with him being out of a Zabeel mare, but this filly showed both gate speed and a turn of foot so we'll wait and see.

“I guess we'll also have to wait and see what his progeny's ideal distance will be, but he's getting winners since Christmas in New Zealand and Australia. They have needed time and for that reason we could see some nice staying types amongst them.

“I received some really good feedback from people at the Karaka sales in January. Saying they had a bloody nice He's Remarkable, and that they just needed a bit more time. We're here in New Zealand, renowned for breeding staying types and hopefully this stallion can do the same. We're not asking a lot for his service fee ($4,000), so people are prepared to wait a bit longer, and at the end of the day it's not where the stallion starts, but where they finish.

“Some are thrilled with the horses they have by him and wanting to buy more, so it's positive to get that feedback from good horseman.

“Where he is in the (stallion) market, he's always going to have to do it the hard way. But, we've seen it before with stallions like Volksraad and Centaine that started off at a lower mark and ended up making a huge impact.

“This is the first one I've had to the races and there are more to come out in the next month, so it's exciting.

“We had Xtravagant spelling out here at one stage, and side by side in paddocks with He's Remarkable, they're both beautiful horses, really correct, and literally identical types.”

She's Not Bad was strapped by Jahmane Murray-Bromwich.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz