A heavy Randwick track might have put paid to the chances of several runners but was made to order for Heavenly Anna.
The mare’s trainer Kerry Parker could not have wished for better conditions and was further boosted when she drew the outside barrier in Saturday’s Pemulwuy Handicap (1400m).
“She ticked all the boxes. The wet track suits and the 1400 metres is perfect,” Parker said.
“Even the wide barrier was good because she doesn’t like being among horses.
“When you’ve got a horse like her that can handle the conditions, it’s great to come here and race in $100,000 races.
“She’s keeps a small stable like mine going.”
Punters were of the same belief as Parker, sending the mare out the $3.80 equal WilliamHill favourite with Yuma Desert wholed for much of the race.
Heavenly Anna came out of the pack to finish strongly to beat Dagny ($4.40) by 3-1/4 lengths with Lani Girl ($15) a long head third and Yuma Desert fourth.
Fittingly in a race named for an 18th century Aboriginal resistance fighter, Jay Ford sported one of seven sets of silks designed by indigenous artists on a day supporting Leading The Way.
The new charity initiative of the Aboriginal Housing Company, Leading The Way will focus on education, apprenticeships and employment for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Parker said he would keep finding similar races for Heavenly Anna and hope Ford was there to ride her.
“She can be a rat-bag,” he said.
“But Jay has soft hands and gets on with her.
“We’ll just keep her going and hope it rains some more.”
