Ready-made two-year-old Mihalic has made an impressive introduction to racing with victory in Melbourne’s first juvenile race of the season at Flemington.
The Colin and Cindy Alderson-trained filly had had the experience of having a jumpout down the straight at Flemington ahead of her debut and held her rivals at bay to win Saturday’s Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes by three quarters of a length.
Mihalic
The victory had added significance as Mihalic is a horse bred by the Aldersons.
“She has always been well ahead of the pack in terms of size from day one,” Cindy Alderson said.
“My mother bred her and I’m sure she’ll be thrilled.
“It’s always exciting, especially when you can breed one of this filly’s stature.”
Mihalic ($8.50) travelled well in the 1000m sprint and jockey Mark Zahra hit the front on the filly before the 300m mark.
She had enough in the tank to defeat Iceflow ($6) with 1-1/2 lengths to Lake Jackson ($7) third.
Both the winner and runner-up are by the sire Hard Spun.
Alderson said Mihalic looks to have an exciting future and could return for another stakes race on Melbourne Cup day for two-year-old fillies.
“She’s just one of those fillies where it has all come naturally for her. She wouldn’t be here otherwise,” Alderson said.
“Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards.”
Damian Lane rode Iceflow and was happy with the way the colt finished the race off and believes he’ll be better for the experience.
“He got a little bit of stage fright and just couldn’t keep up in the early part but his last part was good,” he said.
