The plan to send the American-owned mare Lighthouse (USA) down under in search of black-type paid off big time at Flemington on New Year’s Day when keeping her Australian record at a perfect four for four in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m).
Ridden by Jye McNeil for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace,, the 6yo daughter of Mizzen Mast defeated Looks Like Elvis (All American) by one and a quarter lengths with Not To Be Mist (Danehill Express) a short neck back in third.
David Eustice said that the owners were watching the race in America on New Year’s Eve.
“I’ve had messages pre-race, so I’d like to think they stayed up for it,” Eustice revealed.
“Thanks to Foxwoods, they sent her over and thank goodness they did.
““I thought she was very very impressive today. She got a pretty cool ride from Jye. We said to him pre-race to back her turn of foot, you don’t need to be in a rush because she’ll get herself out of trouble. “Obviously, it was her toughest test, but I thought it was her most impressive win as well. She did get herself out of trouble.
“Just had a chat with the boss, and we’ll have to work out what we do.
“There are races like the Orr, which you’d have to think about, but we’ll have to give her a little bit of time.
“She won’t go out. She might have a week or go to the water walker. “Thanks to the team, she’s not been easy and they’ve all done a great job with Lucy at the beach. She’s been everywhere and taken a bit of work.”
Lighthouse is the best of two winners from four to race out of the North Light mare More Hoping.
The family has it roots in New Zealand with the export of the 1972 Wellington Oaks winner Port Royal (Ribolight).
Lighthouse (USA) becomes the 62nd black-type winner for Juddmonte Farm’s pensioned Caro stallion Mizzen Mast.
