Widden Stud bred and sold Sebring mare Daises claimed a third Group victory when taking out the Group II MVRC Stocks Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night in a thrilling finish.
The only winner of the night to come from back in the field, Daisies was slowly away and ended up a long way further back than expected, but Damien Lane adapted and moved to Plan B.
He rode the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr trained mare her for luck and Daisies slipped up between runners late to snatch a half head win over Elusive Express and Lady of Honour.
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A very happy part owner Sheamus Mills was on hand to welcome Daisies back to scale.
“When she missed the kick I thought to myself, I’m going to the bar, this is a compete waste of time, they’ve been leading all night,” said Mills.
“What an unbelievable ride, when you have no luck, you have to ride for luck, I still can’t believe she won.
“The Empire Rose (1600m G1) is the target, but she’s probably a 10 furlong horse, so we’ll keep her fresh and run on Thousand Guineas day over a mile and then to the Empire Rose on Derby Day.”
Daisies was bred by Widden Stud and partners and they retain a share in her ownership. She is a sister to stakes-placed Motown Lil and half-sister to promising colt Zou Tiger, who runs in the Golden Rose on Saturday.
She is the best of five winners from Tigress Lily, a talented daughter of Snitzel, is out of the Zabeel mare Empress Lily who placed in the VRC Oaks, VRC Edward Manifold Stakes and Kewney Stakes.
A half-sister to Group I SAJC Schweppes Oaks runner-up Estee, Tigress Lily is a daughter of New Zealand Horse of the Year and New Zealand Oaks winner Tycoon Lil.
Tigress Lily has a yearling filly by Pierata and was covered last spring by Written By.
