Chris Waller & James McDonald combined with Amelita ($10.00) to claim victory in the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Thursday afternoon, with the daughter of Zousain producing a stunning turn-of-foot to secure her second career win.
The three-year-old filly, who was sent out as an each-way hope with Marantelli Bet, initially seemed to have it all to do after drawing barrier one on the unfavourable far side of the straight course.
However, ‘J-Mac’ had other plans, deliberately manoeuvring his mount to the grandstand side of the course in the first 200m.
It proved to be a crucial decision by the star hoop, with Amelita latching onto the back of a genuine speed, courtesy of the Lindsay Park-trained Bold Bastille ($4.60), rolling forward under Mark Zahra.
The well-supported favourite with horse racing bookmakers was fading quickly in the final 400m when pressured by a wall of horses, allowing the likes of Tobeornottobe ($19.00) and Bridal Waltz ($13.00) to cruise on by to fight out the finish.
It was Amelita surging through a gap in the final furlong that got the upper hand, however, with the fast-finishing Vestas ($7.00) settling for second-place honours after producing a barnstorming finish.
2024 Group 3 Red Roses Stakes Replay – Amelita
Chris Waller was on course to breakdown the win post-race and was quick to praise the tactics of McDonald.
“It looks like it could be a little bit better out wider,” Waller said.
“Whether it is wind related, I think more than anything. He (McDonald) made a beeline straight for it after the jump to get himself set out wider, then had to aim towards a few gaps.
“We drew barrier one on the furthest part of the track and James said to be pre-race, ‘I think it is better out wider and I’m going to try and come across’.
“He did exactly what he said. Found his way through.
“Fortunately he had the horse under him to take those gaps. A little bit of buffering with 100 (metres) to go and she was too strong. Dug deep.
“There was enough confidence to down come here with her and pick up a nice race to up her value and most importantly to give her some confidence. We see her as a nice filly going forward by Zousain who I trained – a son of Zoustar. It is a bit of a family affair.
“She’s come of age. Still a three-year-old filly.”
James McDonald spoke to the tactics and suggested the hot tempo played into his mounts favour.
“Not really a plan (to come to the outside),” he said.
“Just go with the flow with her. She wasn’t best to step away. So I reverted to just going back and following them through. The pace was strong and she was electric.
“She didn’t leave us with many options, to be fair. She wasn’t really quick away so we just bided our time and the pace was nice and strong. She finished really well.
“She trialled in those jumpouts with the Coolmore horses (Switzerland that morning) and she went terrific. The writing was on the wall.”
Horse racing news
