The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained filly My Country became the first Australian stakes-winner for Darley Stud shuttler Poet's Voice (GB) in Saturday's $100,000 Listed James Boag's Premium Lancaster Stakes (1200m).
After making a quick start under Blake, Shinn, My County settled off the pace set by the royally bred Fastnet Rock filly, Irish Sea.
Set to an all-out drive in the straight, My Country held the challenge of the heavily backed Chris Waller-trained filly
Invincibella (I Am Invincible) by a half-length with Godolphin's Commands filly Nonpareil back in third. (photos Steve Hart)
My Country became the first Australian winner
for Poet's Voice when she saluted at Gosford back in December when making her career debut.
After finishing second at Randwick in January she spelled before returning with a solid win at Kembla Grange on May 28.
"The whole prep has been about bringing her up here for this," Peter Snowden said. "The track looks amazing.
"She's got quite a bit of ability, she's a progressive filly and I do like her.
"We'll look towards the spring and the nice races for her as a three-year-old.
"She's got great acceleration. She switched off really well there today so how far she'll get we'll find out in the spring but the important thing is she's got talent."
"She's switched off really well there today so we'll find out how far she'll get in the spring."
Blake Shinn said the filly handled the new Eagle farm surface to perfection.
"She gave me a good feel," Shinn said. "She beat some progressive fillies.
"Her manners were brilliant and won her the race.
"Stepping into that spot, the box-seat, I had to just manoeuvre out but when she got the run she sprinted really quickly.
"The track felt great. The
camber was beautiful. It's obviously drained brilliantly and that's important."
"She's a filly we were chasing valuable black-type with. It was a big step up for her and she did a great job.
A $140,000 Magic Millions purchase for Astute Bloodstock from the Millbrook draft, My Country is the third winner for imported Danehill mare Bells Will Ring (IRE), who had a full sister to Lancaster Stakes winner sell to Dalziel Racing/Moody Racing for $80,000 at this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling sale.
Bells Will Ring (IRE) has a weanling filly by Poet's Voice (GB) and was bred back to Dawn Approach (IRE) last spring.
A magnificent looking son of the international
stud success Dubawi (IRE), Poet's Voice (GB) will stand at Kelvinside this season for a fee of $11,000.
