One of just 12 live foals left by the Group 1 Prix Morny Stakes winner The Wow Signal (IRE) in Australia, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained filly How Womantic kept her record at a perfect four for four with a hard-fought win in Saturday’s $160,000 Group III Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Ridden by Jye McNeil, How Womantic made use of her inside barrier to push through to trail the leader Enfleurage before easing around that Exceed And Excel filly coming around the home turn. But it was only in the last 50 metres when Enfleurage surrendered her lead to go down by a neck with another daughter of Exceed And Excel Aquitaine a long-head back in third.
There is a little bit of hype about this horse, which she deserves, I just really love her, she’s a perfect little racehorse, she’s so switched off, so relaxed and composed and that’s going to take her a long way in her career,” McNeil said.
“The inside barrier was the difference for us today. Had we drawn out it might have been a bit tougher but she was able to hold her position comfortably and we were able to dictate. She really fought off the challengers over the closing stages.
Unraced at two, How Womantic has done it all in one preparation beginning at Geelong on December 13 then added wins at Caulfield and Moonee Valley.
Carrying the Spicer Thoroughbred colours, How Womantic was a $50,000 purchase out of the Sun Stud draft at the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Bred by Summerset Park Stud, How Womantic is the second foal of the useful Delzao mare Banderilla a 4-time winning half-sister to the legendary hurdlers Some Are Bent and Black And Bent.
Sadly, Banderilla died in November last year without producing another foal.
Like his father Starspangledbanner, The Wow Signal suffered fertility problems. He covered just two seasons north of the equator before succumbing to laminitis. How Womantic is his first stakes-winner.
