Prepared by Darren McAuliffe, two year-old filly Massagi looked unlucky when
resuming from a spell to finish fourth as favourite at Ascot last Wednesday
when caught wide and inconvenienced in the run.Ridden forward this time from a good gate, she took up the lead and set the pace throughout to win the 1400 metre contest by a long neck.
Retained to race by her breeders, Massagi is a half-brother to this year's Group II WATC West Australian Derby winner Gatting and is the second winner for Lonhro mare Stubborn, who was bought from a Magic Millions Darley reduction for $17,000 in 2013.
She was carrying Gatting at the time so has proved an inspired purchase and is now back in foal to Delago Deluxe, who was very close to another winner at Canterbury.
The Gary Moore trained All Sassitude was beaten a long head by talented Sebring filly Seaglass in a thrilling finish to the 1200 metre fillies maiden.
Improving with racing, All Sassitude showed the speed and tenacity that should see her in the winner's circle sooner rather than later.
Massagi is the second first crop winner for Encosta de Lago's Group I winning son Delago Deluxe, who is also the sire of several placed horses from just 15 runners.
