Makybe’s Diva’s little sister La Amistad has continued a family affinity with the famous Flemington two-mile course with victory in the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes.
In her first attempt over the course and distance in which her illustrious three-quarter sister won three successive Melbourne Cups, La Amistad scored her most important win in the 3200m race.
La Amistad
La Amistad was one of the early Melbourne Cup favourites last year after winning the McKell Cup exactly 12 months ago.
She wasn’t up to the task and failed to make the field after finishing third in the Lexus Stakes – a qualifying race for the Cup.
The mare disappointed over 2500m in Adelaide last week but showed her liking for Flemington and the extra distance on offer in the Andrew Ramsden.
With three-time Melbourne Cup winner Damien Oliver riding for the first time, La Amistad ($9.50) was forced to settle at the back of the field and made a long run around her rivals before drawing away.
She reeled in leader Lucciola 300m out and went on to defeat Sonntag by two lengths with Zabeelionaire another short half head away third.
Wayne Hawkes, who trains La Amistad in partnership with his father John and brother Michael, was disappointed with her Adelaide run but said she relished the two miles.
“She might not have won by panels and panels but it was a great effort because if she was four lengths closer and popped out at the 600-metre mark, I reckon there would have been a bit more in the tank,” Hawkes said.
“It’s two miles at Flemington and those colours look alright over two miles at Flemington.”
While La Amistad will never emulate the feats of her Hall of Fame sibling, the mare will be given the chance to earn a start in this year’s Melbourne Cup.
Oliver said La Amistad was suited over Saturday’s trip and revealed he even gave the mare a pre-race pep talk.
“It’s unfortunate she’s got to live in her sister’s shadow,” he said.
“But we were in the gates today and I was whispering in her ears to try to channel her big sister, and she may have just done a little bit of that today.”
