The $125,000 Listed Strutt Stakes (2020m) in Hobart on Sunday was expected to be won by the visiting Henry Dwyer trained filly Aurora Rise, but the favourite was no match for locally trained Anders filly Daytona Diva.
Trained by John Blaker and ridden by Jabez Johnstone, Daytona Diva was on trial at the trip after three recent good efforts over 1600m and relished the task.
She kicked away with a furlong to run and was strong to the line winning by nearly two lengths over Aurora Rise to take her overall record to four wins and three placings from eight starts with prizemoney just shy of $170,000.
A $40,000 Magic Millions Tasmania purchase for part owner Tanya Hanson from the Armidale Stud draft, Daytona Diva was bred by Armidale Stud and is the best of three winners from three to race from Group placed Elvstroem mare Step the Pedal.
A 10-time winner up to 1400m, Step the Pedal traces back to Great Grand-Daughter (GB), a half-sister to legendary blue hen Eight Carat (GB).
Step the Pedal has no yearling for the sales this year, but produced a colt last spring by Nicconi before visiting Armidale Stud’s young I Am Invincible stallion Bodyguard.
Daytona Diva is the first stakes-winner for Widden Stud based Anders, who has an interesting entry for the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale next month in the Widden Stud draft.
