Put on the spot in a pre-race interview trainer Kenny Rae was asked which of his two runners was the best winning chance in the third race on the card at Riccarton, the Prides Easifeed – Nobby Bussell Memorial Two-Year-Old (800m).
Rae didn’t falter as he claimed War Decree filly Eliza James (NZ) was the better option over Vanbrugh colt Sailor Sam (NZ) and so it proved as jockey Jasmine Fawcett was merely a passenger throughout as Eliza James blew her rivals off the track with a sustained burst of speed throughout the 800m dash.
Eliza James, who had displayed similar qualities in an 800m trial win at Ellerslie earlier in the month, had a wing on each hoof as she set up a sizzling speed in company with Quisiera (NZ) (Sweynesse) before leaving her struggling in her wake at the 200m.
Allowed to ease slightly in the run to the line, the filly pricked her ears as she cruised home by more than two lengths in a slick 45.48s for the journey.
Rae had stated his charge was very quick and a real professional and was pleased she had lived up to his comments on debut.
“She is an easy horse to train although a wee bit flighty,” Rae said.
“She got taken on and it was like she was sitting there saying what the hell are you doing to the other one.
“Her breeder Peter Bell asked me if I wanted a share in her and I thought about whether I wanted another horse but ended up taking ten percent. After I had ridden her a couple of times in trackwork I asked him what was left and he said there was still ten percent, so I took that too.
“She will stay down here until November now (for the New Zealand Cup Carnival) and might even become a permanent Cantabrian.”
Fawcett was impressed by the performance and predicted there was more in store.
“She is a classy little horse and I was quite confident heading into today,” she said.
“In her trial she ran home in 48 seconds but today it was 45 seconds so there was massive improvement there.
“She shied a little at the winning post and a little bit further will be ideal (for her) as well.”
Bred by part-owner Peter Bell, who races her with a group of friends including Rae, Eliza James is out of the four-race winner Eva James (NZ) (Super Easy) and comes from an extended family that includes Gr.1 Hong Kong Champions Mile (1600m) winner Sight Winner.
