Prepared by Hawkes Racing, A Mist Opportunity was well prepared at the trials and showed her experience on race day when fighting hard to the line for Tommy Berry to outgun another well-bred first starter in In Times of War (Street Cry (IRE) x Military Rose), a homebred for Gerry Harvey.
A head separated the fillies at the end of the 1100 metre maiden, with both
looking well capable of further improvement."Her trial was good so there was no reason to think she couldn't come here and do it today," said Michael Hawkes.
"She's still not quite there yet. She's a very good type and has good ability, but in reality she's still six months away."
Bred by Peter Katelanis, who has retained a share in her ownership, A Mist Opportunity is a half-sister to Group II winner Into the Mist and stakes-winner Instinction being the fourth winner from four foals to race from Group II VRC Sires Produce Stakes winner De Lago Mist.
De Lago Mist was bred by the Liston family of Three Bridges Thoroughbreds, back in the days when they were still in South Australia at Lakewood Stud, and was purchased by Mr Katelanis at their dispersal sale in 2004 for $105,000.
An immediate success on the track, she has been just as successful at stud.
A daughter of champion sire Encosta de Lago, De Lago Mist has a two year-old colt by Exceed and Excel and a yearling colt by Pierro.
A Mist Opportunity is the 23rd first crop winner for Foxwedge in both hemispheres, the Group I winning son of champion sire Fastnet Rock standing at Newgate Farm at a fee of $22,000.
