Mossman's White Moss Too Strong in Sapphire Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday April 13

The near white White Moss emerged from the gloom under Kathy O'Hara to claim Saturday's Group II Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

The Jason Coyle-trained daughter of Mossman was third in the race 12 months ago but she made no mistake here, defeating Irithea (Snitzel) by three-quarters of a length with Winter Bride (Not A Single Doubt) the same distance back in third. (images Steve Hart)

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The winner of the Group III ATC The Nivison in 2017 and Group II Millie Fox Stakes on February 23, White Moss advances her record to 7 wins, 1 second and 1 third from 17 starts with earnings of $532,645.

"She's a quality mare. She was fit, she was coming back from a longer trip which obviously helped in a truly run 1200m," Coyle said.

"Full credit to the owners for steering her away from the Coolmore (Legacy) and into this race.

"We'll seriously consider going to Hawkesbury depending on how she pulls up. She hasn't travelled well but I'd love to get her up to Queensland and give her another crack up there."

Kathy O'Hara noted that this has been the most successful campaign for the 5yo mare.

"Full credit goes to Jason and Tartan Fields for finding this race for her," O'Hara said.

"She has come out on top and has had two Group II victories this prep. She's not far off the top grade so hopefully, she can get there soon.

"She is a natural free-roller this mare. I know she is fit. She is coming back from a 1500m run last start. I just wanted to make it a genuine gallop. The leader [Quilista] was making it a genuine gallop and I didn't want to let her get too far away from me."

 A homebred for Michele Esplin and her children Hamish, Patrick and Elise, White Moss is out of the Group II winning dam Pay My Bail who was a $240,000 buy for the late Phillip Esplin at the 2007 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

A half-sister to Listed winner White Sage (Reset), White Moss is one of six winners out of Pay My Bail who died in February 2017 after being covered by Dundeel the previous spring.

The Esplin's still own White Sage, who has a 2yo filly by Charge Forward a yearling filly by More Than Ready (USA) and a filly foal by Animal Kingdom (USA). She was covered last year by Ribchester (IRE).

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