Winner: Typhoon Lucy Storms Home

Promising from the outset, Typhoon Lucy (3 f Dundeel – Stormy Lucy, by Stormy Atlantic) broke through stylishly at her third start in the $18,500 Ewen & Wilcox Maiden 1400 metres on 22 March at Matamata.

A big finisher for a close second when trialling in November at Avondale, Typhoon Lucy debuted with a solid performance for fourth in December at Ellerslie and following a freshen-up, she was held together while finishing solidly for fourth in a trial on 10 March at Ellerslie.

Faced with a wide draw which improved to gate 11 after scratchings, Typhoon Lucy situated second last for jockey Michael McNab, eight lengths off the leaders at the 600m, but improved ominously through the pack on straightening - once clear inside the 200m she unleashed a powerful sprint to win.

“She began well and I could have been a spot closer, but when I asked her to steady, she came back to me nicely and she loved the 1400 metres,” McNab said.

Typhoon Lucy became the 20th winner in a month for premiership leading trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, who, a day earlier, had Origin Of Love (Snitzel) record their 14th stakes win this season in the $250,000 Group 2 Wellington Guineas and Perlino (Super Seth) bring up their 100th win at Riccarton on the same day.

On Soft5 footing, Typhoon Lucy ran 1400 metres in 1:24.3, last 600m in 34.7 (approx.), and paid $4.90 & $2.00 on the NZ TAB tote. 

Bred and owned in conjunction by John Mesara (Arrowfield Stud) and Peter Collier (Konj Ltd), Typhoon Lucy is by six-time Group One winner Dundeel (High Chaparral), a major sire and sire of sires, out of Stormy Lucy (Stormy Atlantic) whose five individual winners have now won 11 races from 1400m – 2200m. 

Collier also owned the Te Akau trained filly Pin Me Up (Pins), who rose to the top in a brief career with victory in the 2022 $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m).

“It’s great to get the support of such influential people in the racing industry and carrying the famous Arrowfield Stud colours,” Walker said.

“It was also pleasing to see Michael McNab making such a good return to race riding, after being sidelined with injury. It was a lovely patient ride and she showed a great turn of foot once clear.

“She’s had a few soundness issues, so it’s a good effort by everyone in the team that’s worked with her and have her present in winning form fresh-up.

“The way she won, it certainly won’t be her last and she looks to have a bright future.

“The stable is very much in form, congratulations again to everyone on getting another century of wins on the board this season, and we still have plenty of good racing ahead as we go into autumn.”

Typhoon Lucy carries a strong Northern Dancer cross in her bloodlines, on the sire line of Dundeel, the sire line of dam sire Stormy Atlantic (Storm Cat), and dam sire line of Stormy Lucy. 

Typhoon Lucy was strapped by assistant trainer Reece Trumper.

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz