Former United States trainer Murray Johnson is dreaming of one of Australia’s richest two-year-old races after Take Pride scored at Flemington.
The filly followed up from an impressive debut win in provincial class by giving her rivals a galloping lesson in the New Year Plate (1000m) on Thursday.
Take Pride
Johnson said Take Pride would now head to the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Sandown on January 26 before lining up in the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 28.
The Seymour-based trainer, who didn’t have a lot to do with two-year-olds during his 20-year career when based in Kentucky, said Take Pride had shown exceptional ability right from day one.
“She’s a very good filly and that’s what we get up for in the morning,” Johnson said.
Jockey Corey Parish, on one of his rare visits to the metropolitan area, said Take Pride was a magnificent filly who will take a lot out of the victory.
“I couldn’t go any slower on her as she was travelling that good,” Parish said.
“She was half waiting for them so I just had to keep edging her on.”
