Oaks Path Possible for Derryn Filly

Media Release - Wednesday November 6

An Oaks path is being tipped for three-year-old filly Leica Lucy following her debut win in the Christmas At The Races Friday 5th December (1400m) at New Plymouth on Wednesday.

Favourite Merchant Banker flew the gates and assumed an early lead, while jockey Joe Doyle was able to find the rail three deep with Leica Lucy and follow the speed.

Leica Lucy winning at New Plymouth on Wednesday.  Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Leica Lucy winning at New Plymouth on Wednesday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

The pack swung wide when turning for home on the rain-affected surface, but Doyle elected to take the shortest way home and continued to stalk Merchant Banker, drawing level with 250m to go and Leica Lucy was able to get the better of her rival in the concluding stages to win by 1-1/2 lengths.

Advertisement

“It was pretty smooth,” Doyle said post-race. “She jumped nicely, I kept Merchant Banker in our sights the whole way. I thought he would definitely be in front at the 200m and if we had the horse we should run by.”

Local trainer Robbie Patterson has had a lot of time for the daughter of Derryn and believes she is capable of tackling some big targets this season.

“She is a filly that has always shown us a lot,” he said. “When she was a two-year-old she had to have a bone chip taken out of her knee, so it has just taken a while to get her here. She has got Oaks written all over her, she is a lovely filly.”

While she handled the Soft7 surface on Wednesday, Patterson believes Leica Lucy will be suited by better going over summer and early autumn.

“I think she is better on a better track,” he said. “She trialled up really nicely on a Good track the other day. She is a real rangy filly who is going to take a little bit of time.

“She doesn’t carry a lot of weight, so we will just look after her and pick our way through the grades.”

Leica Lucy is out of one-win Sir Percy mare Dynamite Lucy and is raced by her breeders Peter and Heather Crofskey. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Leica Lucy Survives Scare in Fillies’ Classic
Rising star Leica Lucy had to live right up to her fast-growing reputation at Te Rapa on Saturday, getting herself out of deep trouble in the straight and winning the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m).
Aussie Owner Buys into NZ Oaks Favourite
Prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir is looking to repeat history in this weekend’s Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa, after buying into the $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) favourite Leica Lucy on Monday.
Juvenile Trial Watch - Rosehill
There were six juvenile heats at the Rosehill barrier trials on Tuesday with a first look at two impressive youngsters by I Am Invincible a highlight along with another Farnan youngster confirming his talent.
OTI Racing Acquire Oaks Prospect
Australian syndicator OTI Racing have added a $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) contender to their New Zealand racing arsenal after securing promising filly Twisted Love last week.
Yulong Acquire Australian Guineas Favourite
Yulong have announced they have acquired ruling Australian Guineas favourite Angel Capital.
Racing Australia Invests In Study Into Early Detection Of Injury Risk
Racing Australia’s Research and Development Fund today announced in conjunction with the Equine Genetics Research Centre (EGRC) and Telemedvet, a combined investment of over $400,000 into a 12-month project to perform a cross-sectional study of a serum biomarker in the clinical investigation of equine musculoskeletal injuries.
Derryn Filly Wins G3 Desert Gold
Promising three-year-old Leica Lucy added another important black-type victory to her burgeoning record when she dashed clear to take out Saturday’s Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday February 18
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sydney 2YO Wednesday - High Prices and 1st Season Sires
The two year-old race at Warwick Farm on Wednesday is an interesting, and seemingly open, one which sees the second highest priced Farnan yearling of 2024 entered, along with the third highest priced I Am Invincible along with several other first season sire debutants.
Group One Blue Diamond Barrier Draw
The Blue Diamond Stakes barrier draw is done for the first two-year-old Group One of the season and connections of the favourites will be on good terms.