by Jonny Turner
Tayla Me is bred to be good and she lived up to her pedigree with an impressive display at Winton yesterday.
The mare had little peace after finding the lead in the latest heat of the Southern Belle Speed Series, but it didn’t show when she powered to victory.
A descendant of the super producer Scuse Me, Tayla Me was purchased by Manawatu owner Craig Crosse as a potential broodmare prospect.
Trainer Brent McIntyre admitted after the mare’s impressive win that any breeding plans will be a little way off now if the pacer keeps racing like she did yesterday.
“Craig Crosse bought her for a broodmare but with a bit of luck she might get another season of racing before she goes in foal,” McIntyre said.
McIntyre and his team at Northern Southland stud Macca Lodge have battled to get Tayla Me’s feet in top shape.
Yesterday’s win was the result of them winning that battle.
“She hasn’t been racing to her best in her last couple of starts, mainly because she has sore feet,” McIntyre said.
“We finally got them sorted and you saw the real horse today.”
Breeding was about the only thing on Mary Mourne’s agenda until recently.
But the mare has revived her career after thriving during a lengthy spell which culminated in her winning race 2 yesterday.
“She was nearly sacked last year,” McIntyre said.
“She was out in the paddock getting hard fed with another horse we were bringing in and she was going to be the galloping pacemaker.”
“But with another year out she has really strengthened up and she is a different horse this year.”
As well as driving both McIntyre’s winners yesterday Craig Ferguson made it four for the day.
He trained and drove Nutcracker to win the Riverton Cup.
The reinsman again produced a pinpoint display when giving the mare a perfect run in the trail which allowed her to dash up the passing lane to score.
Ferguson also combined with Flying Ellie who showed she is going to be a force in next week’s Group Three fillies feature at Ascot Park when winning her debut in race 1.
