Promising
Sebring gelding Our Mantra opened his account with a strong finishing win at
Canterbury on Wednesday.
The Joe Pride trained three year-old was resuming from a spell and surged home
to win the 1200 metre maiden by three-quarters of a length.
"I really liked that win today. I thought he was super relaxed and the
best part of the race was the last bit," Pride said.
"He's a really nice horse, I think.
"By Sebring, a good stallion and there is a bit of depth to his pedigree
on both sides.
"He was just a bit immature last preparation, more mentally than anything,
physically he's an imposing big brute. I think once we get him up over more
ground, especially ridden like that, he'll be more effective.
"He doesn't even look right in the coat yet so, when he does get that
improvement in him he could be a horse of some significance. It was a good way
to start the preparation."
Pride has no set plans for the gelding although he is confident he has the
ability to measure up to better quality races.
"I don't really anything planned because we're not sure how far he's going
to get but I think he'll end up a carnival horse," he said.
A $180,000 Magic Millions purchase from the draft of Attunga Stud for Bill Mitchell,
Our Mantra races for a syndicate headed by Peter Horwitz in whose colours he
runs.
Our Mantra is the fifth winner from Truly Elegant, a Scenic (IRE) daughter of
stakes-winner Interest Only, a half-sister to Group I winner Shindig, the dam
of Group I winner Shinzig.