Intervarsity booked her place in the Country Championships Final at Randwick with a determined victory in the $150,000 Tamworth Qualifier (1400m) on Sunday, March 9.
The Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich-trained mare, ridden by Donovan Dillon, was forced to race wide but proved too strong late, securing a career-defining win.
The four-year-old daughter of Mikki Isle was caught three wide early but maintained a strong rhythm, settling just behind the speed.
As the field swung for home, Intervarsity surged to the front, fending off Lisztomania, who loomed as a threat down the outside.
Despite doing it tough, Intervarsity found plenty late, crossing the line 0.93 lengths ahead of Lisztomania at $6.50 odds with the top online bookmakers, with Hellcibell finishing third.
Tamworth Country Championships Qualifier Replay – Intervarsity
Co-trainer Paul Messara was delighted with the filly’s resilience.
“She was caught wide but relaxed beautifully, and Donovan just let her build momentum. She’s a big-striding filly and tough when it matters. This was the race we set her for, and she’s come through it perfectly,” Messara said.
Jockey Donovan Dillon was thrilled to land the biggest victory of his Australian career, having put in extensive race study before the event.
“I’d been going over this race for a week and a half, and it mapped exactly as I hoped. I didn’t see a huge amount of speed, and when things slackened at the 600m, I let her slide into it. She took an awkward stride in the straight, but once she balanced up, she just powered away,” Dillon said.
Now boasting four wins from seven starts, Intervarsity has earned her shot at the $1 million Country Championships Final at Randwick on April 6.
The stable will now ease her workload leading into the grand final, with Messara confirming she will go straight into the big race without another run, with currently having her priced at $7.
Lisztomania fought hard for second, while Hellcibell held on for third after racing prominently throughout.
The $1.90 favourite, Know Thyself, finished fifth after struggling to quicken off a moderate tempo.
Horse racing news
