It was as massively wet as pretty much racing authorities allow at Rosehill for a couple of lead-up races to the Gr 1 Golden Slipper.
It was rated a Soft 7, but everyone could see it was heavier than that.
The fillies division, the G3 Widden Stakes worth $160,000 over 1100m was the first of them.
Babies.
Quite a few of them stepping out for the first time and MALLORY (Not A Single Doubt-Panorama Ridge) who had previously chased home the current Slipper favourite Enthaar in the Gimcrack Stakes, was the winner today and did it impressively.
She sat back on the fence a few lengths off the speedy TOTAL BABE (I Am Invincible-In Style) who enjoyed a trouble-free time of it out in front. She had previously placed 3rd in the Gimcrack so a rivalry of sorts was on. Mallory once they turned for home had to catch her.
It took the whole straight for her to do so as Total Babe kicked and kicked hard, but Mallory spraying out her strange running style saw her and wanted her. When she nabbed her close to the line she looked very smart.
Sterling Alexiou, a co-trainer of the winner who is raced by the Arrowfield Stud, who have landed a Golden Slipper winner previously with Miss Finland, said that the filly is very smart and will improve.
“She came here today in good shape but there is still a lot of improvement to come.
“For her to race like that, giving the leader a big head start then to run her down, tells you a bit about her heart,
VIANELLO (Teofilo-Serenisima) for Godolphin came from near the rear to grab 3rd showing she is going to develop into a classy type when the distances increase.
Jason Collett rode the winner and was very impressed.
“Just a professional racehorse with a lot of finishing power when she goes for it.”
They ran 1.06.03 for the trip with mallory scoring by a neat length on the line.
Mallory is 100% headed towards the 2021 Golden Slipper where she is a $26 chance with Sportsbet and is all but guaranteed a start having won $113,400 in prize money.
