Class mare Babylon Berlin lead her rivals a merry dash when she outgunned a small but quality field in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Facing just six rivals the Ben and Ryan Foote-prepared daughter of All Too Hard used her renown speed from the barriers to head straight to the front and dictate play in the hands of Vinnie Colgan.
Colgan had a lapful of horse rounding the bend and shot two lengths clear as race favourite Crocetti ($2.10) and Bonny Lass made their challenges out in the middle of the track.
Babylon Berlin was still going like a steam train at the 100m and she eased to the line half a length to the good of the fast finishing Waitak with Crocetti battling on well to take third.
Ben Foote was quick to pay tribute to Colgan on his ride and to the mare herself who has proven herself at the top level time and time again.
“Really satisfying to be honest and a super ride by Vinnie as he rated her so well,” Foote said.
“We knew she loved Ellerslie and with (the race) at set weights and penalties, the weight (54kgs) suited her as well.
“There is still improvement in her but we were super happy on how she presented.
“She has been a grand old mare and it would be great if we could get that Group One with her.”
Foote was referring to the mare’s career record where she has been placed at Group One level on four separate occasions including twice in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie.
Colgan paid tribute to the fighting qualities of his mount who travelled sweetly for him throughout.
“She felt well going down the start, started well and my best chance was to lead given she had dropped down to 54kgs on her back,” he said.
“I can’t believe the acceleration she gave me turning for home and although Waitak must have hit the line hard, we got there.
“She is well and I’m not sure whether she will be penalised for today but even if she gets 1.5kgs she will still be very competitive.”
TAB Bookmakers have Babylon Berlin at $8 in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) Fixed Odds market which will be raced at Trentham on 4 January while she sits at a similar quote for the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie on 25 January.
Raced by Foote along with Scott Williams and Kim Rogers, Babylon Berlin has now won ten of her 32 starts along with being placed on another 14 occasions to accumulate just over $738,000 in prizemoney. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
