Adelaide Red shocks with last gasp win

Diminutive filly Adelaide Red (Pastor Stephen) surprised her more fancied rivals when she stormed through an inside run to take out the Group 1 $60,000 Mimosa Homes Breeders Crown two year old fillies Final at Melton on Saturday evening.

The former New South Wales filly only scraped through into the Final after finishing sixth in her heat but prior to that she had scored an impressive win at Cranbourne.

In an open betting race Harperseven the APG winner started favourite but there was support for the other New South Wales filly Gladiatrix, as well as Jilliby Aura and Aldebaran Ada. However Gladiatrix broke up as soon as the field was released and she lost all chance after that.

Elle Perfecto led from the pole draw and Harperseven was forced to race outside the leader. Adelaide Red had commenced quickly from barrier four and she took a trail behind the leader.

ADELAIDE RED DEC 13 REPLAY

Jilliby Aura had the one out and one back trail. Harperseven couldn’t keep going on and it was left to Jilliby Aura to issue a challenge of sorts. However Elle Perfecto beat them off and was being hailed the winner in the home straight but Amy Day on Adelaide Red went for the inside run and she finished too strongly for a narrow but decisive win by a neck.

What Adelaide Red lacks in size she makes up in heart. Elle Perfecto ran her best race for some time trying to lead all of the way but she could not hold off Adelaide Red in the home straight.

A somewhat surprised Amy Day exclaimed her reaction after the event.

It’s a little bit surreal at the minute. But how good is the feel. I know my name is probably down for trainer and driver for this Group 1 but this is as much Dad’s (Neil Day) Group 1 as what it is mine

The little filly started in New South Wales with Dad I’ve had a good association with the owner Rod Davis, I’ve broken in his horses when I was back in Goulburn. I was just fortunate that Dad left her after her APG Second. She deserves it this filly she’s been a terrific little race horse and its great to have that win next to her name.

I’ve always had a lot of belief in her. She’s such a great little race horse and so honest. She tries her little heart out. She was a little bit of a skew at the start and once the better horses we could cross them and get over to the fence it was a bonus.

I don’t know what to say. Well done Dad and we did it.

Through virtue of her consistency and faultless trotting style Adelaide Red should return as a three year old stronger and fitter.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink