Racing: Longshot runs rivals ragged

Tasha Collett and Miss Raggedy Ann (third from right) eventually emerged as winners in the Railway Stakes. Photo / Getty Images

Miss Raggedy Ann made a mockery of the form guide and some pretty big reputations when powering to an upset 86-1 victory in the $200,000 Railway Stakes at Ellerslie yesterday.

The 5-year-old Faltaat-sired mare defied some well-performed rivals, sprinting to the lead midway down the home stretch and holding out the fast-closing Atapi.

Tip The Wink closed impressively late to finish third.

Miss Raggedy Ann carried moderate form into the Group One feature but was trained to the minute by Matamata-based trainer Andrew Scott.

She has been racing well without much luck in her last couple of runs and she was very fit coming into this.

We knew from the wide draw we couldn't go forward so things worked out well and we got a good sit off the speed.

The victory was very satisfying for Scott - his first Group One win in New Zealand as a trainer - under his own name.

Dashing Donna made ground late and had difficulty obtaining clear racing room finishing an unlucky fifth.

Mufhasa led out then trailed the leader and battled solidly to finish sixth. He will be one to watch in the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham.

Anabandana capped a series of unlucky races with a determined winning performance in the $70,000 (Group Three) Eclipse Stakes.

The daughter of Anabaa unleashed a blistering sprint from the rear of the field three and four wide with 600m remaining to challenge the favourite Super Easy.

These two went stride-for-stride over the closing 100m with Anabandana gaining a well-deserved victory.

Savabill battled gamely into third well behind the first two.

Anabandana was unlucky to finish second and third on her last two outings and the arrival of James McDonald into the saddle certainly helped achieve yesterday's victory.

She should be unbeaten in all three race starts but we've got the Group Three win now which is good for her broodmare credentials, said trainer Don Sellwood.

We'll get her home and reassess things and she how she pulls up. She's a filly with huge potential.

McDonald heaped plenty of praise on the 2-year-old.

It wasn't one of my best rides but I'll take the win and all the credit has to go to the filly as she really took off when I asked her to sprint at the 600m. I rode her like she was the best horse in the field and decided to make my own luck."

Hidden Asset gave the in-form McDonald a difficult ride but it didn't stop them winning the $100,000 (Group Three) Championship Stakes.

The son of High Chaparral ran about badly in the home stretch when veering to the outside of the track but rallied under a vigorous ride from McDonald to narrowly defeat Hot Pursuit and Medici (third).

Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie can now focus on ironing out the wayward manners of the gelding knowing his runner is guaranteed a starting berth in the New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie in March.

He's a stunning horse who does a lot wrong but a lot of that has to do with his green-ness and lack of racing experience.

He's had two looks at the Ellerslie track now which is important. We'll now look at the Waikato Guineas and then the Avondale Guineas. I'm sure he's going to develop into a real chance in the Derby in March.

King's Rose showed plenty of stamina when it really mattered to post a narrow but impressive victory in the $100,000 (Group Two) NZ Bloodstock Royal Stakes.

The hot favourite was given a dream sit in the middle of the field before working forward three wide to challenge the leaders over the closing 600m.

This proved to be the winning of the race for McDonald as he posted Annie Higgins out four wide at this point with both fillies waging a tough battle down the home stretch.

King's Rose dug deep over the closing 100m drawing clear to win by a long neck over Annie Higgins with a further long head back to Queen Of Pop (third).

All honours were with the winner who was having her first race start right-handed for this season.

She's a pretty special filly who had to dig deep to win today and she'll now have a week to 10 days off to recover and freshen up, said winning trainer Jason Bridgman.

We'll bring her back for the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at Te Rapa then possibly the New Zealand Derby or New Zealand Oaks and the Australian Oaks in Sydney.

King's Rose has been in commanding form this season scoring four wins and a second placing from five starts.

While King's Rose may not have being as brilliant as her previous three victories - she was having first start beyond 1600m - and was having a good look around the racetrack when challenging the leaders down the home stretch.

McDonald was in superlative form, and opening on a winning note with Mr Legs.

McDonald then dominated the race card winning the Group Three Eclipse Stakes (Anabandana), Group Two Championship Stakes (Hidden Asset), Group Two Royal Stakes (King's Rose) and a narrow second placing in the Group One Railway Stakes (Atapi).

Fears Nothing produced a blistering home stretch sprint down the outer to win impressively in the $100,000 (Group Two) Rich Hill Mile.

Fears Nothing sprinted home to beat Sir Jack Gunno and Mill Duckie (third).

The 5-year-old has been a solid performer scoring seven wins and five minor placings from 22 starts.