While most mares are already in the breeding barn, Bacio Del Mist delivered a career highlight by claiming the Stayer’s Cup at Rosehill for Lee and Cherie Curtis.
The seven-year-old had endured a tough campaign plagued by poor barriers and missed starts, but luck finally turned in Saturday’s 2400m contest.
Ridden patiently by Alysha Collett, she settled worse than midfield before bursting through on the inside to edge out fellow grey Mormona by a neck, with Casual Connection another short neck away in third.
Trainer Lee Curtis said the mare had been consistently trying and was unlucky not to run in the Manion Cup (2400m) earlier in the year.
“She has just had no luck… but she is such a gutsy thing and so tough,” Curtis said.
It was Bacio Del Mist’s twelfth run this prep, and her first Saturday metro win.
Plans to retire her may be delayed, with Curtis noting: “She is a marvel for a $30,000 yearling.”