The wraps were big and the money came in equal portion to the rain for the unraced filly ESPIONA (Exclusive Choice – Dahooil) at Warwick Farm.
And there were large smiles all round when she did the trick, winning on debut with her head on her chest.
She had won two trials leading into this and she set tongues wagging, but she was even more impressive under race conditions.
Said jockey James McDonald: “she’s an excitement machine.”
Which is a rather big call considering this was a maiden conducted on a heavy track and in driving rain.
“It didn’t matter. When I asked her to go she accelerated like it was a dry track.
“There is so much class there. The owners have a real goodie here.”
Espiona came away to win by nearly 4 lengths, untouched and ears pricked. All this after flopping out of the gates and settling 2nd last with mud spraying up in her face the whole way.
Her stablemates, ARRANMORE (Astern – Rathlin Island) led and hung tough for 2nd while LADY PIAF (I Am Invincible – Lady Macan) plugged on into 3rd, over 5 lengths from the winner who cost $190,000 as a yearling.
She earned $22,000 of that back today but is now headed towards stakes level company.
When she opened yesterday at $2, that was knocked off everywhere and she started at $1.45.
Watch 📺👇 Espiona toys with rivals on debut
