A betting plunge on Patinack Farm-owned filly Kneeling came off when she ran down Blue Diamond Stakes runner-up Hallowell Belle to win the Listed Crockett Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Backed from $8 to $5, the daughter of Encosta De Lago was ridden by Michael Rodd who angled her off the rail to follow the Peter Moody-trained $2 favourite and grab a half-head win in Saturday’s 1200-metre feature.
Trained by John Thompson, Kneeling was having only her second race start after going down in a photo-finish to Sport Chic at Caulfield on May 28.
Rodd described Kneeling as “exciting” and declared his desire to ride her as much as possible in the spring, including in the Group One Thousand Guineas on October 12.
“For her to come out at her second start and run down a horse of that quality says she has got a big future,” Rodd said.
“She is still learning and there is a lot of improvement there.
“So long as Kav (trainer Mark Kavanagh) doesn’t have anything lining up (in the Thousand Guineas) I will certainly keep the saddle warm.”
Kneeling got her first look at Moonee Valley when she galloped on the track last Tuesday.
But Thompson’s brother and assistant trainer Glen Thompson said Kneeling, a $340,000 Sydney Easter Sale yearling, was a very adaptable filly and the stable was confident of a big run from her.
“She does everything right,” Thompson said.
“She handles everything in her stride so we weren’t too worried about whether she would handle the track.”
Thompson said Kneeling was given a break after her race debut to ensure she would get her chance at the better races, including the Thousand Guineas.
“That is where we are heading,” Thompson said.
“We always thought she would be here in springtime.”
Rodd said Kneeling was a delight to ride.
“Today I was lucky that there was a enough pressure up front to be able to take that sit,” Rodd said.
“She is just so easy to ride.
“She just dropped on to the end of the buckle.
“Luke (Nolen on Hallowell Belle) was able to push away at the top the straight and I was able to come out and follow him into it.”
Hallowell Belle was second-up after winning at Seymour but her wide gate (12) cost her while Kneeling had the fence all the way from barrier one.
AAP TURF
