It was a one-act affair in the Group 3 SA Fillies Classic (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday afternoon, with the Andrew Forsman-trained Positivity (+130) bolting clear to claim the $170,000 prize.
She put the writing on the wall in her latest outing in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) on April 27 and appeared to want to stretch out over further after closing off impressively.
It was a patient ride by Damian Lane, letting the speed go as it became a true best of staying ability over the 2500m, suiting the racing style of this progressive daughter of Almanzor.
Two rank outsiders ensured a genuine tempo throughout, as Quadtratic (+8000) and You Oughta Know (+25000) fought to gain the early lead, with the leading pair tussling throughout the journey.
It gave the Patrick Payne-trained Zambezi Khan (+650) the perfect run in transit, stalking the leading pair every step of the way.
Billy Egan peeled Zambezi Khan out four-wide turning for home and looked to be travelling best, but Damian Lane was only starting to surge aboard Positivity, careering over the top to score by 1.7 lengths.
2024 SA Fillies Classic Replay – Positivity
No stable representative for the Andrew Foresman barn was on course, but Damian Lane was glowing in his post-race assessment of his filly.
“She just stepped a half-length slow which put plan A out the window and just had to ride her conservative and just got into the race at the right time,” Lane said.
“You know riding one of Andrew’s horses they’re going to be really fit and I just put her into the race and she did the rest.
“We wanted to be in the first four so it put us on the back foot, I rode her reverse but got the result and that’s what counts.
“Very good effort to hold her form as long as she has this preparation, credit to Andrew and his team for keeping her up and well for that long.”
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