The crowd roared at Wanganui on Sunday when first-starter Silver Salute powered past her better-backed rivals to win the Egan Racing 2YO (1200m).
Silver Salute had trialled twice for two placings prior to her debut assignment, where she was underrated in a market dominated by Presence Of Mind ($2.40) and Pink Gin ($2.80). The latter stepped slowly from the gates, while Silver Salute picked it beautifully and settled midfield in the six-horse affair.
Silver Salute winning on debut at Wanganui on Sunday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
Princess Elsa had set the early tempo but was soon joined by Presence Of Mind, who forced Pink Gin to race three-wide and do plenty of extra work. Mereana Hudson stuck to the rail turning for home on Silver Salute and soon was on terms with the first three, eventually finding an extra kick late to take the juvenile contest by 2 – ¼ lengths.
In front of a large syndicate of owners, Silver Salute delivered on the promise that trainer Chrissy Bambry always believed she had.
“She is pretty quick, and the whole way along, everyone that has had something to do with her has thought a lot of her,” Bambry said. “She’s got a lot of growing and maturing to do, so whatever she did today, she was going to benefit from.
“The plan was to have a good experience and hopefully be running through the line strongly, then head to the paddock and come back for some nice spring three-year-old races.
“The race just panned out for her, she can over-race a little bit so the plan was to sit in behind that speed and they went very hard in front. That worked out in our favour, and with the cutaway rail, we stuck to the inside and Mereana rode her an absolute treat.
“It was great to get the choccies.”
A daughter of U S Navy Flag, Silver Salute is a similar type to Bambry’s stakes-winning mare Chantilly Lace, which drew her to the filly at the 2024 Ready To Run Sale. The Foxton horsewoman was rapt to secure her for $80,000 out of the draft of breeder Woburn Farm.
“She reminded me a lot of Chantilly Lace and her breeze-up was very exceptional, she did it with a lot of ease,” Bambry said.
“I saw her and I liked her type so we were very happy to get her. Adrian Stanley (Woburn Farm principal) stayed in for a small percentage and I could’ve nearly over-subscribed her, she sold within a week.
“There would be over 30 people in her and a lot of them were here today. It was just great to see, a lot of them are first time owners so it’s always exciting.
“Hopefully they can be the lucky owners.”
Bambry will follow her initial path in sending Silver Salute to the paddock, with a view on spring targets next season.
“She’ll head to the paddock now, that was the plan win, lose or draw,” she said. “She’s got a lot of growing to do so hopefully she can go out while there is still a bit of grass and sun about.”
Silver Salute is out of a Reliable Man mare The Grey Lady, who while herself was unraced, is a half-sister to Singapore stakes performer Cavallo. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
