Lucky Lakota provided a local triumph of sorts in the Newcastle stand-alone opener, securing victory in the $160,000 Max Lees Classic (900m) with a powerful late surge.
While the filly is prepared by leading trainer Ciaron Maher, she was acquired and syndicated by Newcastle-based Australian Bloodstock principals Jamie Lovett and Luke Murrell, and was expertly guided by local jockey Dylan Gibbons.
However, the conclusion of the race proved a surprise to many, including Gibbons, as Lucky Lakota overtook the early pacesetter Bronze Lion right at the finish line.
“I was trying to play the percentages and get on Regan’s back (Bayliss, rider of favourite Stellar Ami) and follow him out,” Gibbons said,. “But because my filly was having her first starts, she didn’t know how to quicken and push one out of the way.”
“When I did switch back (inside), I hoped it wasn’t too late. When I dove I thought we got beaten a head so I was pretty pleased to see our number in the frame.”
The $11 outsider, Lucky Lakota, displayed a strong finishing kick to catch Bronze Lion ($3.60), winning by a head. The favourite, Stellar Ami ($2.45), finished a length and a half behind in third place.
Following the race, Gibbons further lauded Lucky Lakota’s performance.
“She’s got an amazing action for a little filly, she covers ground so well,” Gibbons said. “I was really impressed with her attitude. She jumped well and travelled nicely.”
“She was a bit ‘new’ when I tried to come out but then I went back inside and she saw where the bunny (leader) was and she chased and chased hard.”
A $100,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase by Australian Bloodstock, Lucky Lakota’s debut victory opens the door to potential lucrative race targets over the summer period.
She is eligible for races such as the $400,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) at Royal Randwick on December 12 and the prestigious $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) scheduled for February 6.
“We will see how she comes through this win and consider The Nursery,” said Maher’s Sydney racing manager Johann Gerard-Dubord. “There’s also the possibility we could put her away for the Inglis Millennium.”
Gerard-Dubord noted that Lucky Lakota has consistently shown considerable talent.
“From the moment Australian Bloodstock sent us the filly to train, she has shown us that natural ability,” he stated. “She trialled ‘sharp’ the other day and was very good today. She will learn plenty from that and will come on with the experience.”
“It was a very good effort. I didn’t think she got there but she was very strong to the line.”
Ciaron Maher had an excellent start to the Newcastle stand-alone meeting, training a double in the first two races when Rock Empire led for most of the journey to win the Trans Tasman Trophy (1850m).
Nash Rawiller dictated the pace from the front aboard Rock Empire ($3.90), who finished nearly three lengths ahead of Stylebender ($26), with Fortune ($13) a further half-length back in third.
For those looking to back the next promising filly, check out the latest racing odds at Australian betting sites.