The opening two-year-old event at Morphettville looked, on paper, like one of the most straightforward races of the day. With only three runners engaged and Inhabit (Stay Inside) sent out a dominant $1.24 favourite after a stylish debut, most expected a routine, uneventful contest.
But a small field often has a way of turning the obvious result on its head.
Inhabit jumped cleanly and dictated terms exactly as predicted, controlling the small field with ease. Yet the certainty evaporated approaching the home turn. The favourite was the first horse under riding and, moments later, the first horse beaten, offering little resistance once the pressure went on.
Behind her, Tony & Calvin McEvoy’s debutante Moana Spirit (Tagaloa) travelled quietly before sweeping past the favourite at the furlong. What had appeared a formality turned into a rout, as the filly surged clear with a stylish, authoritative sprint. Czech Out (Prague) boxed on to hold second, while Inhabit faded away, beaten four lengths in a disappointing performance.
Pedigree: Moana Spirit is the third foal to race for Chaminade (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}). She descends from the distinguished sprinting family of Pipalong (GB) (Pips Pride {GB}), the former Champion Older Female Sprinter in Great Britain. Chaminade has a yearling filly by Alabama Express.
Written for TTRAusNZ
