Regally-bred filly Paulownia will head straight to stakes company following a perfect debut.
The sister to the Group One winner and successful stallion Foxwedge was unbeaten in three trials before stepping out on Thursday at Pukekohe Park where she overcame the outside gate in the Platinum Rentals Maiden (1200m).
Paulownia settled at the back of the field
and swung widest into the straight under Opie Bosson before finishing
determinedly to score by a half-head.
"She just got there and probably not the way you want to see a $1.80 shot win, but she got the job done," said Jamie Richards, who trains with Stephen Autridge.
Raced by international thoroughbred powerhouse Coolmore, Paulownia will now face a far sterner test in her next appearance at Trentham.
"It's two and a-half weeks to the Wellington Guineas and up to 1400m will suit her," Richards said. "She is open to a lot of improvement and if she can draw a better barrier and race handy then she'll be competitive.
"She's very well bred so it's all about getting black type for her."
Paulownia was making an overdue start to her career due to injury.
"She was our 1000 Guineas filly, but she got hurt in the winter," Richards said. "We finally got here and it's a big thanks to Coolmore for sending her to us." – NZ Racing Desk.
