The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Austmarr ($15) has made a mess of her rivals in the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, with Kerrin McEvoy making every post a winner aboard the daughter of Exosphere.
It was a third-up peak for the improving four-year-old, with the Godolphin mare finally getting back to her jump-lead-win tactics that proved so fruitful last preparation when claiming back-to-back wins in five starts.
McEvoy was quick to take the race by the scruff of the neck, sending Austmarr to the lead from barrier 10, and she never looked like getting chased down after ticking over some soft sectionals in the middle stages.
Outback Miss () appeared to get every chance stalking from the one-one under Tyler Schiller, while Shezanalister ($5) tact on towards the inside running rail.
Coco Jamboo () was doing her best work late to fill out the minor money, with Shezanalister producing her best work late as well, but it simply didn’t matter as Austmarr had pinched an unassailable lead in the final furlong.
It’s the fifth win at start 13 for Austmarr, with the Godolphin mare back on track for the Sydney autumn.
Stable representative Shane Harrigan was on course to break down the win.
“Last run the plan was to be a little bit handier than we were but today from the outside gate, our hand was forced. We had to go forward,” said Harrigan.
“Kerrin gave her a great ride, he kicked her out, got a nice bit of space early on. He got her across, gave her a little chance turning in, filled her up, kicked again and she put it away nicely.
“We obviously have a base here now with 24 boxes at Randwick, she has been here the past few weeks and I’d say she will stay and campaign here.”
Kerrin McEvoy was happy with the victory as he spoke post-race.
“It didn’t surprise me either because she’d been running nicely,” said McEvoy.
“I was actually happy to draw an outside gate and Anthony had been happy with her. She’d just been drawing in and in the shorter run races she’d been sort of cluttered up and it’s not to her liking.
“Her good runs down south were when she was able to get to the front, have a little rest and then kick and that’s what she did then.
“I was really concentrating on the brake and she got out well when the first boxes ticked. Yeah, to her credit she was able to roll home. So nice to get a win after the quarter.”
Horse racing news
