Racing: Jazzella burns off opposition to score in Darley

Ruakaka trainers Donna, Dean Logan and Chris Gibbs shed their conservative approach with Jazzella at Ellerslie yesterday and secured an effortless Group Three victory.

The trio were hesitant to throw the lightly raced 3-year-old filly into the 1200m weight-for-age Darley Plate but were aided by a superb front-running ride by Lisa Cropp.

Cropp rated Jazzella to perfection clinching the victory with a blistering closing 600m sprint in 33.9 seconds to win by a long head over the fast finishing My Hangover.

A further half-length away in third position was the unlucky favourite Gee I Jane.

"Jazzella is an outstanding athlete and although we don't normally do things like this with a 3-year-old filly we did feel that this was our chance to get some black type to help increase her brood mare value," said Dean Logan.

Their long-term goal this season is to take her to Brisbane for the winter racing carnival.

The stable also produced Keepem to record a gallant fourth in the Mercedes Derby behind Redoute's Dancer.