The promising three-year-old filly Masmelo scored a fluent win in the Listed Natasha Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
The Neville Parnham trained, Chris Parnham ridden daughter of Mashchino jumped at a starting price of $4.80 as the second favourite behind the strong $1.50 main fancy, the Daniel Morton trained Wonderfully Made.
These two runners, who were the only two runners in the eight horse field quoted at odds of under $11, had clashed in their previous start in the 1000 Guineas over 1800m, a race in which Wonderfully Made accounted for Maschino by a decisive enough two length margin at level weights (54kg).
With a step up in distance to 2200m here and a helpful 2kg turnaround at the weights (Maschino stayed at 54kg, Wonderfully Made went up to 56kg), the Parnham trained runner was able to reverse the 1000 Guineas result with Wonderfully Made (who ultimately finished third), this time beating Wonderfully Made home by 1,59 lengths.
These two runners were split this time around by Admire Astra, who had placed third in the 1000 Guineas. She held her form well to finish second this time, a neat length behind Masmelo.
Parnham gave Masmelo the run of the race, sitting comfortably in third on the rail, all of six lengths in advance of Wonderfully Made as Admire Astra took the field along at the head of affairs.
Coming to the corner the speed came on out wide, threatening to trap Masmelo on the rail, but a welcome split came soon after straightening leaving room for Masmelo to accelerate and set about chasing down Admire Astra who was finding a good kick up front.
Wonderfully Made was also starting to run on at this stage, but her early rearward position had left the favourite having to plot a path inbetween runners … Pike had to take her back to the inside … but the favourite was giving away too much start and she would have to settle for that third place.
Admire Astra was game, but Masmelo proved to be the stronger of the two over the final 120m with Parnham pushing his mount out under hands and heels over the final 50m to claim her second career victory from nine starts.
“I was very confident she would run the distance,” said Neville Parnham, talking to Racing WA. “I feel she’ll run about three miles to be honest.
“She’s a beautifully relaxed filly and she has come up really well after a short break.
“I was a bit worried I hadn’t given her enough work actually. She worked by herself on Tuesday morning and I was a bit reserved because I would have liked to see her put more effort into her workout.
“I think this run will bring her on again.”
Masmelo is expected to head for the Group 3 WA Oaks, over 2400m, on April 4.
