She Reigns Again

Mark Smith - Friday September 29

Making her first start since a career-defining win in the Golden Slipper, She Will Reign looked to have the job ahead with just three behind her when turning for home in Friday nights $500,000 Group I  Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.

The daughter of Manhattan Rain was switched to the centre of the track by Kerrin McEvoy to mount her challenge.

So quick was she finishing, She Will Reign looked all set for an easy victory but Joe Bowditch was weaving a passage on the South Australian visitor Viddora.

Advertisement

The two passed the post locked together.

Much to the relief of the ATC, the Everest contender got the verdict by half a short-half-head with early leader Shiedel hanging on for third a further three-quarters of a length back.  (photo Grant Courtney)


Winning trainer Gary Portelli thought he had been beaten and was never confident in the run.

"Early on I thought let's just save her for the Everest and make sure there's something left in a couple of week's time," Portelli admitted.

"But he gave her a kick up at the 600m and she went up in that gear we know she's got.

"I didn't think she won. From where I was standing we had run second. She knows how to win. Another Group I against her name and the Everest is going to be a nice race in a fortnight's time.

 The Lloyd  Kennewell-trained Viddora came close to giving Yarraman Park Stud's I Am Invincible a notable stakes treble on the night after Houtzen and I Am A Star earned Group III and Group II honours respectively.

Winning rider Kerrin McEvoy also said it looked bleak early on.

"She stood fine in the gates but she jumped up in the air and I was well out of the ground where I thought I'd be," McEvoy said.

"They did run along but not much has been making up ground tonight so must admit I was a fair bit worried when they passed the half-way mark.

"It's tough for them to do it at three against the WFA horses and I was never really handling the corner she was wobbling out and I had to come widest but full credit to Gary and his team, she let go with a solid furlong and a half finish."

Bred by Garry Bachell, She Will Reign was a $20,000 purchase for Darby Racing from the Ambergate Farm draft (as agent for Middlebrook Station Thoroughbreds) at the 2016 Inglis Classic Yearling sale.

The daughter of Manhattan Rain advances her record to 5 wins and I second from 6 starts with earnings of $2,859,150.

She is the first foal of the Sydney winning Charge Forward mare Courgette, herself a $25,000 Inglis Premier Yearling.

Courgette is a daughter of the unraced Marscay mare Our Farm Girl a sister to Listed Gimcrack Stakes winner Millie and a half-sister to Listed Winter Cup winner Touch Of Sun (Snippets) out of the Group II Reisling Slipper winner and Group 1 AJC Oaks runner-up Sunshine Sally (Cheraw).

Courgette has a 2yo filly by Shamus Award and a yearling colt by Time For War.

She was bred back to Time For War last spring.

A Group 1 winning half-brother by Encosta de Lago to three-time Champion Sire Redoute's Choice, Manhattan Rain moved to Blue Gum Farm in 2017 after beginning his career at Arrowfield Stud.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Lookalike Star Turn Colt Franks Hot Form Race
When Angel Ladder won the first race at Geelong coming out of the VRC Next Gen Series Sprinters Final won by Jimmy Recard, you would think punters would have looked closely at Redders in the following event coming out of the same race, but he slipped under their guard.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.