Racing: Masquerade reveals true potential

Trainer Stephen McKee was asked if Masquerade was physically ready for the Herculean effort she put up to win Saturday's $45,000 Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie.

McKee paused then said: "Only just."

Which means the slightly built chestnut filly must be pretty smart because her effort was superb.

McKee needed to be careful what he said at that moment five minutes after the race - standing within earshot were 51 of the 80-something syndicate shareholders who comprise the ownership.

At that moment the Ardmore trainer would not have lacked support if asked how good he thought Masquerade might be.

Auckland Racing Club director Brent Cooper syndicated three fillies, of which Masquerade is one, breaking the partnership down to 90 shares, retaining 10 shares for himself and wife Wendy.

"Look at that group there," said Auckland Racing Club chief executive Chris Weaver as the 51 shareholders jammed on to the Ellerslie birdcage podium for the presentation.

"It's that easy to have fun in horse racing."

Each syndicate share for the trio of fillies costs just $75 a month.

Masquerade looked stunning in winning.

She'd drawn the outside gate and with five strides to run was no hope to pick up the leader, Posh Bec.

The way she knuckled down when pushed out by first-time rider Andrew Calder and lunged at Posh Bec with two strides left showed ability way beyond just all right.

It justified McKee declaring that he would not be against the idea of preparing Masquerade for the group one New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 14.

"With a bit more experience now and the long straight at Riccarton she could be well suited."

Andrew Calder was impressed.

"She's very tough. I didn't think we could win with five or six strides to run."

The Soliloquy was the most open race on the 10-race programme - a nightmare for punters - and the $5010 trifecta came as no great surprise.

Posh Bec was brave and proved how unlucky she'd been at Wanganui at her previous start.

Miss Bindy found well for third and the fourth and fifth placegetters, One Swanstonstreet and Our Tigress are definites to follow.

One Swanstonstreet went quickly to the front and the Ellerslie track, for the second half of the programme on Saturday, did not lend itself to front running.

The Wanganui winner fought well and will be much tougher when the pattern for on-pace runners next suits.

Our Tigress got shuffled out wider on the track in the early stages and did very well to be still running on strongly at the finish.

The favourite, Seven Schillings, disappointed by finishing ninth.