Debutante Star Galaxy has nailed her maiden victory the hard way, fighting back from adversity at Canterbury.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained two-year-old was sent out the $2.60 favourite in Wednesday’s 2YO Maiden (1100m) but gave punters a scare when she missed the start.
But the filly responded impressively to Kerrin McEvoy’s riding to surge along the rail to score by a long head from Noviero ($8).
“It wasn’t going to plan. It’s the last place I thought she’d be, I thought she’d be up on the speed after (winning) her trials,” co-trainer Paul Snowden said.
“It says a lot for the horse to be back in an unfamiliar spot so to rally as well as she did, and finish as well as she did, that’s a gutsy effort.
“When Kerrin was back there I thought he’d have to tack on the back and go round them but he’s seen runs that were opening up that I wasn’t seeing. He was right again.”
McEvoy, who ended the meeting with two more winners after also saluting on Life O’Brien and Fournette, didn’t expect to be lagging last either after Star Galaxy won both her trials.
“I was little bit worried up until the 350 (metres) because she wasn’t really travelling but as soon as I got some room in front of me along the rail she gave me the feel like she was going to pick up,” he said.
“She’s only going to progress and maybe even grow a bit more in her next prep. The best is ahead of her.”
Corey Brown had a similar opinion of Miss Que ($4.80) after the filly loomed late to snatch the 3YO maiden (1100m) after also jumping sluggishly.
Once he found clear air in the straight, Brown steered Miss Que down an outside channel to nab $2.50 favourite Goresbridge by three-quarters of a length to delight trainer Joe Pride.
“She probably wasn’t that comfortable on the wet track. Early in the straight she looked to be labouring but the class shone through late,” Pride said.
“It’s a pity she’s missed the three-year-old year in a lot of ways. There’s every chance she’ll train on now to be a nice four and five-year-old.”
