Godolphin filly Demerara has overcome pre-race jitters to maintain an unbeaten record for Godolphin.
Fractious in the Rosehill yard, Demerara had to be reshod before jumping cleanly and surging to a 1-1/4 length win in a Benchmark 71 Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday.
Fortunately for Godolphin head trainer James Cummings, the three-year-old had few concerns once the race got underway.
“She’s got a lot of speed about her but what I like is she’s able to relax in the middle stages of her races,” he said.
“It’s going to really help her out and she gets deep into her campaign particularly when the pressure is against her.”
Demerara won her maiden at Kembla Grange last November before a spell and ticked off a Benchmark 65 Handicap at Gosford first-up earlier this month before her successful city debut.
Demerara, the $1.75 favourite, kicked strongly to hold off the challenge of Workdrinks ($6).
Cummings predicted a bright future for Demerara.
“We had a good look at her yesterday morning and we felt there was a really good filly inside there.
“She could well measure up to a nice little fillies Listed race during the carnival.”
Jockey Brenton Avdulla was happy to reunite with a filly he lost sight off after riding her to her maiden victory.
“I hadn’t seen her for awhile and went I got on her at Gosford I was happy to see her fulfil that potential and dominate again.”
French Tune registered her first victory at the second attempt a 3YO Maiden (1100m).
The $3.20 favourite beat fellow Your Song colt Poetic Charmer ($4.80) by a 1/2 length. So Bizarre ($7.50) was 2-3/4 lengths further back.
“There was a fair bit of pressure early but he’s got that good tactical speed, that good cruising speed to put himself there,” said co-trainer Adrian Bott.
“He gave a good kick on the turn and was strong late to hold that.”
