The very best will be seen of the precocious filly Talaria when she steps out on top of the ground, according to her biggest fan.
The daughter of the late O'Reilly is highly-regarded by Mark Du Plessis, who piloted her to a narrow debut victory in Saturday's Listed Murdoch Newell Stakes at Pukekohe Park.
"I probably rode her a bit too confidently, I thought she would win easier than she did, but she will be a lot better on a better track," he said.
The winner of both of her lead-up trials under Du Plessis, Talaria flew the gates to lead and she sprinted clear 300 metres from home. She was feeling the pinch in the closing 50
"She's got very good natural speed and we got to the fence easily enough," Du Plessis said.
"She's a really nice filly who's done everything that's been asked of her. I'm very excited about her, she's still improving and there's more to come."
The two-year-old is owned by Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer, who also raced the Gr.1 NZ 1000 Guineas winner Planet Rock from Peter and Dawn Williams' stable.
The husband and wife team have since been joined in a training partnership by Paul Richards and the trio
"I thought she had gone out a bit too fast, but Mark knows her well," Dawn Williams said. "She's got blistering speed and she managed to hold on. It's not easy when they're having their first start."
Runner-up Oscar Eight made ground strongly after missing the jump with Nothin On Me three and a half lengths back in third. (photo Trish Dunell)
"It was a really good run, we had no choice but to go back from the wide draw," Oscar Eight's trainer Nigel Tiley said. "That should be enough to get him in the Karaka Million so a bit of pressure is off."
NZ Racing Desk.
