Made a Breednet ‘One To Watch’ when she made a winning debut at Sandown on November 20, the Fastnet Rock filly Merited returned back to the scene on Wednesday to make it two from two in a benchmark 64 over 1400 metres for 3yo fillies.
In contrast to her debut win where she stormed home, Merited took up the running after making a fast start for Thomas Stockdale. While feeling the pinch over the last 100 metres Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained filly held the challenge of the fast-finishing Florent (Fiorente) by a long-head with Flandersrain (Manhattan Rain) one and a quarter lengths back in third.
“She’s a very talented filly, naturally versatile. It was well summed up by young Thomas (Stockdale) who I think is a very promising young jockey,” said Michael Kent Jnr.
“She flew the gates so there was no use dragging her back, got a comfortable lead, was rated well and gave a good kick.
“She a lovely filly with scope to go further. Mum won a Group II in New Zealand, she is a lovely daughter of Fastnet Rock that, possibly next prep, will get over further and get some black-type for the owners.”
Retained to race after passing in shy of her $500,000 reserve when offered by Cressfield at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Merited is the third winner from three foals to race from Stravinsky’s Group II winning daughter Jeu de Cartes (NZ) who won nine races from 1600 to 2200m and is a half-sister to Group I Australian Derby winner Nom du Jeu from dual Group I winner Prized Gem, who won a Kelt Capital Stakes in New Zealand and a Brisbane Cup in Australia.
Jeu de Cartes has a 2yo Not A Single Doubt colt named Do This All Day who was a $540,000 purchase at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She has a yearling filly by Snitzel and has foaled a colt on November 11 by Fastnet Rock’s champion son Merchant Navy.
