Riccarton Triple Treat - Win No.1 Illicit Miss

Date: 1 Sep 2022

Riccarton Triple Treat - Win No.1 Illicit Miss

 

Champion trainer Mark Walker began Spring with a victory when Illicit Miss (4 m Hinchinbrook - Unlawful, by Sebring) scored in the $14,000 Maiden 1600 metres on 1 September at Riccarton.

 

During her three-year-old season, Illicit Miss followed three consecutive seconds by finishing fifth in the Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) on 2 March at Hastings, won by stable-mate and tied NZB Filly of the Year Self Obsession (Shocking), and resumed with a notable performance for fifth in the Maiden Fillies & Mares 1300 metres, won by stable-mate Savito (Savabeel), on 24 August at Taupo.

Kept on the move beforehand by Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin, Illicit Miss began well from the outside barrier (10) and although a somewhat reluctant leader she was able to dictate a steady tempo.

Appearing to travel best of all when straightening at the 400m, she had quickened to a winning advantage 300m out and went through the line full of running.

Winning by two lengths in the race sponsored by Speight's Summit Ultra on Tap, Illicit Miss returned $2.30 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote, after running 1600 metres in 1:38.3 on the poly-track.

“She was suited stepping to a mile and it was really good to get the win today,” said trainer Mark Walker, on course to oversee proceedings.

“She is much stronger this season and hopefully there are bigger targets for her later in the carnival.”

A race like the Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m) could be within her grasp on 22 October at Riccarton, won previously by Te Akau horses Viana (Volksraad), Wolfwhistle (O'Reilly), Grazia (Savabeel), and Swing Note (Encosta de Lago).

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $95,000 at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Landsdowne Park, she is owned by Te Akau Illicit Miss Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

From the last yearling crop of ill-fated stallion Hinchinbrook (Fastnet Rock), a half-brother to four-time Champion Sire Snitzel (Redoute's Choice), Illicit Miss is out of a mare by Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner and Champion Sire Sebring (More Than Ready), who was a huge loss to the Australian breeding industry following his sudden death aged 13.

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “The mare was good enough to win four times in Australia, from an imported family, and we thought she was a really good type of filly.

“She was narrowly beaten when stepping to 2100 metres last season at Te Rapa, and you couldn't knock her run for fifth in the Lowland (Stakes).”

Dam Unlawful won four times from 2000m to 2540m, while further back in the family USA Broodmare of the Year Leslie's Lady (Tricky Creek) left three individual Grade One winners.

Illicit Miss was strapped by Katija Cherie.

 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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