A lucrative winter could be in store for talented New Zealand-bred mare Grey Ice (NZ) (Reliable man), who made a winning return to racing in the A$130,000 Stow Storage Bill Collins Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Grey Ice rose through the grades last autumn and winter with victories over 1600m at Pakenham, 1400m at the Sunshine Coast and 2200m at the Sunshine Coast. She then went on to contest the Gr.3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June, where she was unplaced behind Bases Loaded (Deep field).
Saturday’s Benchmark 78 handicap was the first start since November for Grey Ice, who was overlooked as a $31 outsider among a competitive 12-horse field. But the four-year-old produced an impressive come-from-behind performance in the hands of jockey Craig Newitt.
Grey Ice settled well in eighth among a strung-out field, then switched to the outside at the home turn and warmed into her work. She finished over the top of the front-running Just Glamourous (Justify) and went on to win by three-quarters of a length.
“I was happy with where we were in the run,” Newitt said. “She jumped a bit better and took up a closer position than she normally does, and she travelled really kindly. She was relaxed and composed.
“Her work on Tuesday morning suggested she was going to run a big race first-up. Her racing pattern just means that she relies on a bit of luck, but she was way too good for them today.”
The Bevan Laming-trained Grey Ice has now had 15 starts for four wins, two placings and A$165,350 in stakes.
“I was confident coming into today, but her draw (gate two) was a concern,” Laming’s son Richard said. “She takes a while to get into her stride. She ended up back on the rail, as I thought she would.
“But Craig gave her a good ride and came off the fence at the right time. She had some bad luck in her last preparation, so a change of fortune first-up today is good for the owners and good for the horse.
“Her work was very good during the week. She just needed the right run, got that and put them away very well.
“She will get further than this – 2000m or maybe even up to 2400m. She’s bred to get up over ground, and she’s in work at the right time of year.”
Grey Ice was bred by Westbury Stud owner Gerry Harvey and is by Reliable Man out of Haliburton. That unraced mare is by Encosta De Lago out of the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Tartan Tights.
Offered by Westbury Stud at the 2022 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, Grey Ice was a $130,000 purchase by John White Bloodstock.
