Royally bred filly Sesimbra (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) made it back to back victories to open her three-year-old campaign when she took out the opening event at Wanganui, the Wanganui Function Centre 3YO (1200m) in dramatic fashion.
The daughter of US Navy Flag, who was lining up for her second start this month after scoring nicely at New Plymouth a fortnight ago, finished just half a head from Velton (NZ) (Headwater) after being forced over more ground in the run home by that runner.
An inquiry was initiated shortly after horses returned to the Wanganui birdcage and after lengthy deliberations by the Judicial Committee, the objection was upheld as placings were reversed in favour of the Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie-trained runner.
Whilst the finish certainly held plenty of drama there were other occasions during the run that also made the winning performance even more meritorious, especially when her momentum was severely impeded approaching the home turn as rider Leah Hemi tried to squeeze Sesimbra between runners at that point.
To regain momentum and chase so resolutely in the home straight indicates a filly of real ability, something that Ritchie agrees on.
“I think she deserved that one as she had to overcome a lot just to get that close at the finish,” Ritchie said.
“She is a real character, very quirky and not that big, but as tough as they come.
“Early on she used to over-race but we’ve done a lot of work at home trying to get her to settle and she has come such a long way in a short time.
“She has inherited the family ability but we just want to take it a step at a time as we think she could be a very good filly if she keeps improving the way she has during this preparation.”
Ritchie advised the stable have no firm plans for Sesimbra in the short term, but are keen to see how she handles a big trip away at such an early stage of her career.
“Given the family she is from we like to think she might get over a little more ground in time,” she said.
“She has a massive stride and even though she isn’t that big she doesn’t feel like a small horse when you are riding her.
“This was her first overnight trip and she seems to have handled the first part well. Steven is with her and he said she ate everything thing in sight last night and she presented really well today.
“She will come home tonight and go to her paddock where we can monitor just how much the trip has taken out of her.
“If she comes through it okay then we will press on with her.”
Bred and raced by Sir Peter Vela, Sesimbra is out of the O’Reilly mare Aveiro (NZ) who is a daughter of Gr.2 Travis Stakes (1600m) winner Dolmabache (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) who also finished runner-up in the Gr.1 International Stakes (2000m).
Her extended family includes a who’s who of Group One performers produced by Vela’s Pencarrow Stud breeding operation including Romanee Conti (NZ) (Sir Tristram), Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm), Grand Echezeaux (NZ) (Zabeel) and Darci Brahma (NZ) (Danehill).
