Chipanda’s win at Rosehill has been a confidence booster for her stable and more so for the filly.
Saturday’s 2YO Plate (1200m) was hand picked by Godolphin as the ideal race to give Chipanda a positive experience.
That almost looked as if it would come undone when Brenton Avdulla had to change direction at the 300m to the inside of the track but Chipanda ($3.50) responded to beat the favourite Legerity ($2.50) by a half length.
The filly’s two previous starts had yielded two thirds including one in the Group Three Widden Stakes.
Chipanda is entered for next month’s Group One JJ Atkins in Brisbane but John O’Shea’s assistant Darren Beadman said a decision on where she went next would wait.
“John will make a decision on what she does in the next 24 to 48 hours,” Beadman said.
“She does have a bit of attitude but we think she is above average.
“It was most important for her to come here today and have a positive experience.
“She’s been here before. The barrier staff know here and she has trialled here as well.
“We’re just trying to get the one per centers right and it worked out well in the end although I had a few breathless moments.”
For his part, Avdulla was not concerned.
“I could have barged into a gap but she’s not mentally ready for that,” he said.
“So I didn’t worry about it and went back to the inside and she did a good job to win.”
