Promising three-year-old Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) added another important black-type victory to her burgeoning record when she dashed clear to take out Saturday’s Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.
The lightly raced daughter of Derryn was sent out a raging hot favourite ($1.40) after taking out the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at the venue prior to Christmas and never really gave her supporters any cause for concern despite having to bullock her way into a narrow gap halfway down the home straight.
Rider Craig Grylls had allowed the filly to settle back in the field and didn’t appear to be perturbed by runners swooping around his outer approaching the home turn as he began to bring her into contention.
Grylls spied an opening three off the fence at the 250m and Leica Lucy burst through with a turn of foot that carried her two lengths clear before holding out the fast-finishing Connello (NZ) (Time Test) comfortably at the winning post.
While trainer Robbie Patterson was quietly confident she would perform to expectations before she headed to the start, rider Craig Grylls had a few last-minute doubts behind the barriers as the field loaded up.
“I got a good run but before the race she was really worked up,” Grylls said. “The other day she was a bit of a lamb, so I was a little bit worried, but as soon as she came out (of the starting gates) she dropped the bit and relaxed nicely.
“I got her buzzed up turning in and although I didn’t have a lot of options, good horses get you out of trouble. When the gap opened up, she did the rest.
“She has a ton of improvement in her as Robbie said there is still a lot of water to go under the bridge, so she will tighten up and is very exciting.”
Patterson was lavish in his praise for the performance, although he admitted to having some trepidation watching his charge search for a clear path in the straight.
“It was tough watching her get held up, but when she got clear she went bang, which is the sign of a good horse,” he said.
“I was concerned as she was above herself and I hadn’t done a lot with her as I know how long the season is, but I’ve had some good horses and this one could be the best I’ve had.
“If you go too hard too early it all falls apart, and I want to win the Oaks again as I think I have the right horse for it.
“I won the race with Legs when I was in partnership with Kevin Gray, and I think this one might even be a little better than her.”
The $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) is the feature event at the Trentham meeting on 22 March.
The Desert Gold Stakes was the seventh event in the prestigious New Zealand Bloodstock Filly Of The Year series which is currently led by Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) (21 points) with Leica Lucy now moving into third place on 12 points with four events left including the New Zealand Oaks as the series finale.
Leica Lucy is bred and raced by Taranaki racing identities Peter and Heather Crofskey who are no strangers to winning big races having also bred and raced 2013 Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Habibi (NZ) (Ekraar).
Leica Lucy has now won three of her four starts and just under $195,000 in prizemoney.
