Romp in the Park for Risque

An equine athlete in the truest sense, Risque (3 f Darci Brahma - So Explicit, by Straight Strike) took a massive step towards the three-year-old fillies' classic races when she toyed with her rivals in the New Zealand Bloodstock Pearl Series' Fillies & Mares Maiden 1200 metres on Saturday at Ashburton.

Eligible for the Pearl Series Bonus of $17,000, Risque pocketed her owner Dick Karreman, The Oaks Stud, around $23,000 including her share of the winning purse.

Planning to go forward from a wide draw, Risque travelled comfortably despite being posted three wide on the pace in a line of four and took control on straightening for the run home. She commanded a handy advantage at the 300m and strode away in a class of her own to win by 11 lengths for jockey David Walsh.

On footing rated Slow8, Risque ran the 1200 metres in 1:15.9 and as favourite she returned $3.00 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB.

“Steve (Autridge) rang me this morning at 7.15 a.m. and he was a bit worried about the track with the rain overnight,” said Rick Williams, The Oaks Stud general manager. “And when I watched the first race I was even more worried about the track but we decided to run.

“Walshy always walks the track and he obviously wanted to be in that strip. I watched him ride in the first race and that's the strip he used.

“Man, I know it was only a maiden field down south but they don't usually win like that anywhere and it was very easy. And I'm doubly pleased because I had a bet on her yesterday at $61 for the 1000 Guineas. It was a real thrill and we're happy.

“I've always rated her and I'm absolutely certain she's going to be better on top of the ground,” he said. “She's still growing, she's still maturing and whether the spring is going to be her thing I don't know. It will depend on how well she does in the next few weeks.

“We'll head for the 1000 Guineas in November and see how we go."

Williams was pleased with the decision to send the filly south last week, to undertake a southern campaign.

“There are so many options down south and there's a better chance of getting better tracks, whereas up north we're a little bit limited if it keeps raining. You can find yourself playing catch up and running on tracks that don't suit.

“There's a Guineas' trial in around three weeks, the Ray Coupland back at Ashburton and she only really needs a couple before the 1000 Guineas. But, they need to be winning ones.

“She doesn't appear to me to be a horse that needs a lot of racing, and could get away with one a month.  We'll see how she comes through this, but all reports were that she travelled well, and ate well, which she must have or she wouldn't have won like that.

“She was a stunning filly from day one and although the mare hadn't left a lot it was a very good family - and we might be on a winner.

“I had asked Steve (Autridge) if we should give her a break. He said that she is growing, but she hasn't stopped in the feed bin. They soon tell you whether they've had enough and it's usually the feed bin that would let us know if they can keep stepping up in class.

“She'll stay there because Pam (Gerard) is down there and everyone will be happy. I like the concept of going south early and it's always been successful in the past for Te Akau,” said Williams.

Her dam So Explicit (Straight Strike) was a very capable juvenile, winning and stakes placed and finishing fourth in the Wakefield Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), and this filly certainly looks to have inherited ability.

Prior to the win she ran on solidly for sixth despite being inconvenienced on rain-affected Slow7 footing when resuming off 103 days in the Maiden 1000 metres on Aug. 19 at Taupo. She separated High Class (Shocking) and stable-mate Tatters (Tavistock) - a winner midweek at Te Rapa - in her only start as a two-year-old and has both the speed on her dam-side and class to pose a genuine threat whenever she is next presented.

Picture credit - www.raceimages.net.nz