Trainer Ben Foote was blissfully unaware that his impressive Tauranga winner Musigny Lass (NZ) (Iffraaj) had nearly blown her chances at the start of Saturday’s 1300m three-year-old contest.
The daughter of Iffraaj had overcome some buffeting at the top of the Tauranga straight to charge home and down $1.30 race favourite Turn The Ace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), however it was a hairy moment for apprentice rider Ace Lawson-Carroll as the barrier opened that went close to ruining her chances.
Lawson-Carroll was turned sideways in the saddle shortly after the field jumped away and looked likely to be unseated until he found his balance and settled back into his rhythm on the filly.
The incident saw Musigny Lass settle well back in the six-horse field, however once she found clear air in the home straight, she charged home to record her third career win from just ten starts.
“I had no idea what had happened until someone told me and when I watched the replay I got a hell of a shock,” Foote said.
“He (Lawson-Carroll) was so far out of the saddle I thought he had to fall, but to his credit he quickly got his balance back and he then rode a peach of a race to get the win.
“I don’t think he gets the plaudits he deserves the young fella as he is a very handy rider with a good claim and he deserves to get more opportunities than he does.”
Foote had been expecting a better effort from his charge after she failed to handle a puggy track at Avondale when finishing fourth at her last start.
“The track tripped her up last time and I thought she would go better today,” he said.
“She has been holding her condition a lot better in this campaign and I think she even looked a little fat she has done that well.
“Now that she is settling down, I think she deserves a shot at some black type so we will have a look around at what is available.
“A race like the Opunake Cup (Listed, 1400m) could be an option as she should get in on a nice weight.”
Foote also reported that class mare Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard) and stablemate Ruach (NZ) (Charm Spirit) were enjoying the Queensland sun on their backs as they spend time in the spelling paddock before heading home to New Zealand following their unsuccessful Brisbane campaigns.
“Both Babylon Berlin and Ruach will have about six weeks in the paddock in Queensland before we bring them home,” he said.
“Nothing really went right for them and I know Babylon Berlin is a lot better mare than what she showed.
“I think she is definitely Group One quality so we will be having a look at races like the Railway (Gr.1, 1200m) at Christmas time with her and then we will think about taking her back to Australia if she comes up as well as I think she can.”
Video: Musigny Lass defeats Turn The Ace at Tauranga
