Members Joy made a dream start to her career for the MRC Members Horse Club when she led all the way for an easy win at Sandown on Saturday.
The grey two-year-old filly is nominated for the $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 25.
Trainer Robert Smerdon said she may now be aimed at a start in a Blue Diamond fillies Preview or Prelude.
“She had a setback. She would have run Cup week but being exuberant one day lost her footing coming back from the pool and took a bit of skin off,” Smerdon said.
“That’s why we came back to starting now but she’s got a great constitution.
“She’s coped really well so she could go on and have another run before a break.
“She’s certainly not at the end of it. She’s enjoying life at the moment.”
The daughter of Hussonet was purchased for $85,000 by Swettenhan Stud at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Premier Yearling Sale last January which makes her eligible for the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) on January 14.
She is raced on lease by the MRC Horse Club which consists of the 10,000-strong Melbourne Racing Club members.
Twenty-five of the members got to go into the mounting yard as owners on Saturday.
Ridden by Michael Rodd, Members Joy ($1.90 fav) jumped to the front in the Swettenham Stud Dash For Cash Plate (900m) and revelled in the slow going to kick away on straightening, for a 2-1/2 length win over Jacaranda Avenue with Mrs Gray a long neck away third.
“She’s a well educated filly and she was very quick out of the barriers and travelled very well,” Rodd said.
“I let her run down the hill to get a break on the others and she surprised me with how much she quickened. I didn’t think she’d do that on a wet track but she skimmed across the top of it.
“She’s got a bit of attitude, a bit of spunk, which you need in these fillies.”
MRC committeeman Matthew Cain said all training, vet and other expenses were picked up by the club.
Prize money including the $42,700 the filly won on Saturday, goes into initiatives and improving facilities for members.
AAP TURF
