Star filly Captured By Love continued her preparation towards another Group One goal with an impressive exhibition gallop at Te Aroha on Saturday.
Captured By Love capped off a successful spring campaign when taking out the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November, a contest that was tipped to be a match-race between the daughter of Written Tycoon and Alabama Lass, the latter finishing second.
Alabama Lass joined Captured By Love in the 1000m gallop between races, where by instruction, jockey Matt Cartwright guided the Te Akau Racing filly through her work individually, coming home in 37.5 for the last 600m.
“It was meant to be a quiet gallop, home in around 38, and I’m very happy with how she went,” Cartwright said.
“We went with Alabama Lass, but they were to work by themselves and that’s what happened. She followed me and I did what I was instructed to do.
“It was my first time riding her. She gave me a lovely feel and she’ll be a good ride for Craig Williams in the Railway.”
The two speedy fillies will cross paths again on Karaka Millions night at Ellerslie in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m), where Captured By Love’s trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have engaged the champion Victorian hoop (Williams) to take the reins.
Williams has been successful in many of Australia’s greatest races, including the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) and A$3 million Gr.1 Russell Balding Stakes (1200m) last spring with wonder mare Bella Nipotina. He is also well-known for his association with Kiwi-bred star Mr Brightside, the pair taking the $3 million Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) during Melbourne Cup Week.
At the set weights and penalties conditions of the Railway, Captured By Love will carry just 52.5kg, with Alabama Lass at 52kg. They are both well-liked by the TAB in the early Futures market, sitting at $6 and $3 respectively. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
