Racing: No longer the bridesmaid

The Hawkes Bay racing crowd gave her a standing ovation and winning jockey Reese Jones had tears in his eyes after Miss Potential scored an emotionally-charged farewell win in the $150,000 Stoney Bridge Stakes at Hastings yesterday.

The darling of the turf fully deserved to claim her second Group One success in New Zealand, after several near-misses. As well, it came at what is expected to be her racing swansong in this country.

Te Kauwhata owner-trainer Bill Borrie said the mare is now headed to New South Wales, where she will be mated with a yet-to-be-finalised stallion meaning her racing days could be over.

"I think this is definitely her last race in New Zealand, unless someone comes up with the money for a late entry into the Kelt Capital Stakes," Borrie added.

It would cost $45,000 to make a late entry into the field now.

Miss Potential was runner-up to Starcraft in the Mudgway and Stoney Bridge Stakes at the Hawkes Bay spring carnival last season and was second again in this year's Mudgway, this time to Xcellent.

She didn't begin brilliantly from barrier 13, but rider Reese Jones soon shot her around the field to take a clear lead after the first corner.

From there, he dictated the pace of the race, slowing it up in the middle stages, before increasing the tempo with 700 metres to run.

Miss Potential ran three lengths clear on the field just before the home turn and then shot further ahead when Jones gave her a flick with the whip halfway down the home straight.

The others never looked like catching her and she was still 2 1/2 lengths clear at the line.

Irish Rover kept up a strong run to finish second, half a length in front of third-placed Magnetism, with Maroofity and Clean Sweep deadheating for fourth.

Irish Rover's rider Lisa Cropp said the 8-year-old had certainly not lost his will to win.

"He pulled up well after it and the 2000m of the Kelt will suit him, especially if it rains," Cropp said.

Magnetism's rider Jim Collett is also hoping for some rain to soften the ground slightly for the Kelt. Magnetism showed a vast improvement on his first-up run in the Mudgway Stakes three weeks ago and would improve further.

Maroofity is also likely to contest the Kelt in two weeks' time and rider Michael Walker said he was probably looking for 2000m.

The slow pace in the middle stages didn't suit well-supported runners Balmuse (sixth), King Of Ashford (10th) and Shinzig (12th).

Balmuse was caught out three-wide for the entire race and left flat when the leaders sprinted from the 700. He was running on fairly in the straight however and rider David Walker said he was now looking for 2000m.

King Of Ashford slipped at the start and got back in the early stages but was another left flat-footed when the sprint went on.

"He didn't let down like he can," rider Darryl Bradley said.

Shinzig played up in the gates and never really got into the race.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY