Anita Mary a special win for Hailes

Anita Mary’s (Fear The Dragon) win at Ascot Park today was extra special for Northern Southland owner Paul Hailes, as the three year old filly is named after his late mother.

In the 2200 metre race driver Brent Barclay from a wide draw, stayed out of the early action and slotted the three year old filly into the one one as Anita Mary’s stablemate Vice Chairwoman clamped on the early speed. When Hillary rolled to the top with a lap to run, she left Anita Mary parked.

Turning in she mastered Hillary and went down to the line to win by a length from Route Sixty Six who came on late.

ANITA MARY REPLAY

The winning time was 2-43.5.

Anita Mary is out of Glenburn Jewel. She was bred by Paul’s father Eddie and goes back to his foundation mare Newella. She won six races – three at Ascot Park. Newella is Anita Mary’s fourth dam.

“She’s the last one out of Glenburn Jewel and is supposed to be by Always B Miki. It came back after they did the DNA that she was a Fear The Dragon. I don’t know whether Caine (Stud Master Caine McIntrye) was having an off day or he just wanted a Fear The Dragon,” laughed Hailes who is McIntrye’s brother-in-law.

Anita Mary was broken in at Macca Lodge and was then moved to Brett Gray’s Ryal Bush stable.

“She broke in nice and we just gave her a bit of time, because with our breed we don’t like to rush them. She was getting jogged up at Macca and they were a bit busy. I asked Brett if he would take here on in February last year and she qualified in May on her first prep for him.”

All indications were that Anita Mary would perform well today after an unlucky second on debut.

“There was a false start. I was pleased to see that she did everything right and I clocked her last half in 55.1 so that was pretty good going. She was weaving around a bit. We were rapt with that second.”

In referring to his late mother Anita Mary, Paul said “She was right into her horses. Her father Michael Francis Flynn was a horse trainer. Mum raced the odd one, she raced Norham Fella before she died.”

Norham Fella won four races for Invercargill trainer Gil Shirley.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink