Racing: Ride on Floozie a doozy

An excited Rosie Myers admitted she had a small moment of panic nearing the business end of yesterday's group one Harcourts Thorndon Mile at Trentham, when in front on eventual winner Thee Auld Floozie.

Until that stage, Myers had produced a perfect ride on the Mastercraftsman mare after settling sweetly behind the hectic early speed in the race. Myers bided her time as the field compacted nearing the home turn and when clear air emerged she pushed the "go" button on the mare, who simply exploded to the front at the 300m mark.

It was then that a warning by trainer Stephen Marsh began to ring in her ears.

"She travelled beautifully throughout but I was in two minds on the turn whether to go in or out on her," she explained.

"We came off the fence and I was able to get a good run in between them and she just took off.

"It was then I remembered two weeks ago Stephen had said to me, 'whatever you do don't go to the front too soon.' I was thinking 'oh no' but she did it really well in the end."

Marsh, who saddled four contenders in the feature event, was riding an emotional high after the victory as he was surrounded by well-wishers.

"We've got a lot of owners here who have come from far and wide," he said.

"We had four runners who I all thought deserved their chance and I'm just rapt one of them got the win."

Marsh was also quick to pay tribute to one of the couples involved in the mare's ownership.

"She really deserved her group one," he said.

"It's great for John and Sue Young who have been great supporters since back in our Woodville days.

"They bred her, so I'm just so pleased for them."

Outsider Prince of Passion chased bravely and was rewarded with a group one placing, while Abidewithme snatched third off topweight Volkstok'n'barrell with a determined late bid.

The win lifted Marsh's winning tally to 32 which places him fourth on the national trainers' premiership. It was his eighth stakes victory for the season and second group one prize after Ugo Foscolo won the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton in November.

- NZ Racing Desk