Anabandana gave it her best shot, but was clearly shown signs of having been a race short when she returned to the birdcage.
"I could feel her blow out in the home straight," said rider Matt Cameron.
Anabandana's five weeks between races was simply because there was no suitable race for her.
"I could have run her at the recent Rotorua races, but that was for fillies and mares and it's always best to stick with your own age group," said Sellwood.
"I'm very happy with her performance here today."
And so to the $300,000 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas at Riccarton.
Antonio Lombardo is not in the $400,000 Sothy's 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.
Trainer and part-owner Peter McKay has him entered for the $250,000 Levin Classic at Otaki.
"I just didn't think the long float trip for the 2000 Guineas was ideal for him," said McKay yesterday.
Sam Spratt has a lot of affection for Antonio Lombardo.
"He's a character, I sprinted him off the bend [home turn] and when he got clear he came up on me [eased].
"Then I saw Anabandana coming on my outside and I thought, 'She's just going to run past me,' but I gave my horse a shake-up and he found another gear."
Joy's Choice, who won the last event at Te Rapa yesterday, is a possible opponent for Anabandana in the 1000 Guineas.
She is a Redoute's Choice filly from the Zabeel mare Tricia Ann and is owned by Sir Patrick and Justine Hogan.
"She has improved greatly from her maiden win here last start and we'll have to make a decision with the owners this week whether she goes to Riccarton," said co-trainer Debbie Rogerson.
Perhaps not surprisingly, being out of a Zabeel mare, Joy's Choice races like a stayer and could be a real Oaks prospect in the autumn.
