The early stages of Waltz On By’s career was plagued by bad luck, but the regally-bred filly had something go her way in Sunday’s $175,000 Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) at Sandown.
The Peter Moody-trained filly got the nod in one of the finishes of the season to date, prevailing a thrilling five-way photo.
The daughter of I Am Invincible lasted to defeat Jenny Jerome by a nose with Hell Hath No Fury the same margin away third. Russian Conquest was a similar margin away fourth with Typhoon Titmus next home, around a head behind the winner.
It made it back-to-back wins for Waltz On By, who is on track for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m), a race her mother Stay With Me and granddam Miss Finland both won.
“She obviously got there a little bit soon and was vulnerable late,” Moody’s assistant trainer Katherine Coleman said of Sunday’s performance.
“My heart rate went through the roof that last little bit, but she hung on really well and absolutely rapt with her going forward to the Thousand Guineas.”
Luke Nolen expects her to be hard to beat in the October 12 Guineas as she was forced to be ridden outside her comfort zone on Sunday and now has a tough decision to make given he partnered stablemate Boogie Dancer to victory in last week’s Thousand Guineas Prelude.
“She’s always had that in her repertoire but we’ve been trying to get to come back a lot in her races,” Nolen said.
“She’s had two trouble-free runs at her last two so that will hold her in good stead going forward. She’s going to be a live chance in a race like that (Guineas).
“I’ve got to make a decision, I suppose over the next couple of weeks.”
Waltz On By owns a spot on the $11 line in TAB’s Thousand Guineas market, which is headed by stablemate Boogie Dancer and Saturday’s Golden Rose runner-up In Secret at $6.
