Universal Ruler mare Yonga Lass Triumphs in La Trice

Mark Smith - Monday January 1

The 4-year-old Universal Ruler mare Yonga Lass has been a revelation since joining the Grant and Alana Williams stable and earned a richly deserved maiden stakes success in the Group III Mrs Mac's - La Trice Classic (1800m) at Ascot on New Year's Day.

A reward for consistency (image Western Racepix)

Ridden by Willie Pike, Yonga Lass stalked the early pace set by Fine Touch and was a menacing presence on the home turn.

Fine Touch (Maschino) wasn't about to give in without a fight but fell a half-neck short, with Forever Dreaming (Snippetson) a head back in third.

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A homebred for Ian O'Connor and partners, Yonga Lass, advances her record to six wins and two seconds from 12 starts with earnings of  $268,698.

O'Connor paid $75,000, through John Chalmers Bloodstock, for Yonga Lass' dam Give The Signal at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Despite placing in seven of her 23 starts, the daughter of Fastnet Rock retired a maiden.

 Yonga lass is the fourth foal and second winner for Give The Signal, whose last recorded foal is the unraced 3-year-old Stopthe Prospector (Gingerbread Man).

Yonga Lass is the 11th stakes-winner for Scenic Lodge's Universal Ruler. The veteran son of Scenic covered 85 mares this season at a fee of $8,250. 

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Race Result - Mrs Mac's - La Trice Classic Gr3 1800m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 1:53.79
1
Yonga Lass
- 4m Universal Ruler (AUS) x Give The Signal (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: W Pike 55
2
0.3
Fine Touch
- 4m Maschino (AUS) x Modern Touch (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: R W Price Rdr: Michael Poy 55
3
0.4
Forever Dreaming
- 5m Snippetson (AUS) x Absolute Cracker (AUS) (Flying Pegasus (AUS))
Tnr: C H Webster Rdr: T Turner 55
4
3.3
Megami
- 4m Playing God (AUS) x Fail Safe (AUS) (Von Costa De Hero (AUS))
Tnr: Takahide Ikenushi Rdr: B Parnham 55
5
3.7
Rusty Dreams
- 4m Universal Ruler (AUS) x She Done Him Wrong (AUS) (Oratorio (AUS))
Tnr: M L Lane Rdr: Chris Parnham 57.5
6
3.8
Kia Ora Jewel
- 5m Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Trickle (NZ) (Storm Creek (USA))
Tnr: Ms S L Miller Rdr: S Parnham 55
7
4.2
Ecstasy Of Gold
- 3f Smart Missile (AUS) x Hello Again (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Greg Cave Rdr: Ms L Staples 49.5
8
4.3
Jadavi
- 9m Coconut Grove (AUS) x Gambraker (AUS) (Gambade (AUS))
Tnr: I F Shield Rdr: Keshaw Dhurun 58
9
7.5
Bandalera Miss
- 8m Blackfriars (AUS) x Bandalera (AUS) (Scenic (IRE))
Tnr: F R Kersley Rdr: Jordan Turner 55
10
7.6
Ihts Closing Inn
- 4m Sessions (AUS) x Ihtsatune (AUS) (Ihtiram (IRE))
Tnr: A G Durrant Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 57.5
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