Racing: Money's on mare for big test

Underthemoney (blinkers) wins at Te Rapa. Photo / Trish Dunell

Hamish McQuade has unwavering belief in Underthemoonlight's ability to foot it at the elite level and he's opened his wallet to back his judgement.

The confidence of the co-breeder and part-owner of the El Hermano mare, who is trained by his wife Karyn, was given a further boost yesterday when she won the group two Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa.

"After her work on Thursday I was so pleased that she was at $26 for the Tarzino - I was on that," McQuade said.

Underthemoonlight has now been trimmed to $10 for the group one Tarzino Trophy in a fortnight's time at Hawke's Bay.

"She won't have a problem at Hastings as long as there's give in the ground," McQuade said.

Underthemoonlight came from the tail of the field with an undeniable finish to erase memories of her unlucky run in the event 12 months ago.

She was badly held up in the straight before regular rider Cameron Lammas was able to get her into the open and they flew home late for fourth.

"I still reckon she could have run second, but Cameron is adamant she would have caught Saracino," McQuade said.

From a wide gate yesterday, a plan was made to give their charge plenty of time to settle and it was perfectly executed by Lammas.

He improved from the tail of the field across the top and Underthemoonlight produced a sustained finish to take the thick end of the $100,000 purse.

"I wanted to be midfield, but Hamish told me to let her drift out," Lammas said. "She just kept giving and she's strengthened up this time in. She's a tough mare and always gives 110 per cent."

Close Up also made ground from off the pace for second, as did the six-time Group One winner Kawi for third.

Meanwhile Eilish McCall's first day of race riding started promisingly and finished spectacularly yesterday.

The 24-year-old apprentice acquitted herself well on debut when she guided Jochen Rindt into fourth in the Jorja's 14th Birthday Handicap and then she struck gold in the closing event on the card.

Aboard Blackmagicwoman for her employer Shaune Ritchie, McCall kept a cool head after a tardy start and getting back in the field.

She bided her time before picking up ground and they came underneath runners in the straight for a length and three-quarter victory in the DIC - Driver in Control 1600.

"I'm so grateful to Shaune for putting me on, he's helped me out a lot," McCall said.

"We didn't get a very good run and got pushed around a lot so I stayed where I was. On the turn I had a lot in hand and off she went and hit the line well."

- NZ Racing Desk