The opening event on Morning Cup day, the Mornington Peninsula News Group Sires (1200m) proved a triumph for Woodside Park with the Rich Enuff debutant Claymore Mine defeating the favourite Chilled, a daughter of new Woodside recruit, Shalaa (IRE).
Ridden by Jye McNeil for Pat Carey, Claymore Mine looked the consummate professional when powering to the line to defeat Chilled (Shalaa) by three-quarters of a length with Le Zebra (Rip Van Winkle) a half-length back in third.
Pat Carey knows quite a bit about the family, having trained Claymore Mine’s half-sister Calrity (So You Think) to a career debut win at Moonee Valley and stakes-placed Crestani to a debut win at Mornington.
“They won on debut, and she has kept that going. It’s fantastic, Carey said.
“I’m really happy to get her here today and owe much to the patience of (owner/breeder) Steve Watkins.
“He’s had to endure quite a few seconds lately with Clarity and Who Dares. It’s a big relief to get one over the line for him.
“She was beautifully ridden today. Jye took the number one spot in the race behind the horse of Matt Laurie’s (Chilled). I thought that was the best spot for her to assert herself into the race, and she got there.
“She’s a lovely filly, quite a bit stronger than the family in body weight and is a little more advanced than them and got to the races a bit earlier.
Carey said he is a fan of the sire, Rich Enuff.
“It’s good for Victorian racing. She was the only Super VOBIS horse in the race by Rich Enuff, and he seems to be going fantastic for a stallion who is well-placed in the budget of most breeders.
“We’ll just digest what has happened today, which is normal protocol, and enjoy that and work it out from there.”
Claymore Mine is the third winner from as many to race for the hard-knocking Stratum mare Cresta Condor, the winner of four and placed in seven of her 29 starts.
A daughter of the Listed Gimcrack Stakes third La Bird (Bluebird), Cresta Condor foaled a Nicconi filly last spring and was covered by Impending.
