Grahame Begg-trained mare Cilacap (Written Tycoon) proved the toughest when it mattered most, digging deep to land the Gr.2 Queen Of The South Stakes at Morphettville under Jordan Childs.
In a field of 17 mares, the early stages were as hectic as expected. Wild Imagination (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) rolled to the front, with Brown Nose Day Gal (Jimmy Creed {USA}) applying pressure on the outside under Rochelle Milnes.
The field compressed on straightening, with Terrestar (Zoustar) looming widest off a tough trip, before runs came from all angles. Childs had Cilacap within striking distance turning for home and she proved the strongest late, edging clear to score by a long neck from Brace Miss (Rebel Raider), who lived up to her name, with Terrestar sticking on bravely for third, beaten less than half a length.
Now a winner of five of her 12 starts, her résumé continues to build, having already scored at Listed and Group 3 level in Melbourne before adding Group 2 success in South Australia.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten emotional at the races. She’s an incredibly special mare to the whole team. She’s incredibly tough, she’s come back from setback after setback and it’s so exciting to get her back here today.” stable representative Rebecca Shanks commented.
“Her owners have been very patient. Grahame’s put in a beautiful training performance to send her to Sydney, get her back, keep her in form and then travel her again to Adelaide.
“We were actually targeting the Australasian Oaks last preparation and unfortunately she had to go out after her run at Caulfield. She’s an incredibly tough mare, Jordan’s (Childs) ridden her beautifully today. He’s not had too many sits on her race day, but he just gave her the sweetest ride today and it really just turned out in the end.”
Written for TTRAusNZ
