OUR SHOWGIRL SHOWS THEM CLEAN PAIR

Following consistent form, Our Showgirl (4 m Ego – Showzeel, by Zabeel) recorded a deserved victory in the $10,000 Maiden 1300 metres on 1 March at Hastings.

Bred and owned by Kevin Hickman (Valachi Downs), Our Showgirl was given 43 days since her tough effort for fifth in the Maiden 1400 metres at Rotorua, following determined performances for third, fourth, and second, respectively, since resuming in November and she broke through at her eighth start.

Presented in magnificent order, Our Showgirl appeared eager for the job at hand when stepping onto the track and after working to lead, steadying at the 800m, she remained defiant under rider Jake Bayliss in the stretch.

On Dead4 footing, Our Showgirl ran the 1300 metres in 1:17.1, and a shortened in betting to pay $7.50 & $2.10 fixed and $8.00 & $2.30 on the NZ TAB.

“She’s been super consistent, caught wide last time, put a line through that run, and I’m really proud of her today. She deserves it,” said co-trainer Pam Gerard.

“She has pulled in the past, not the easiest horse to deal with and I take my hat off to Jake (Bayliss). He does a lot with her at home and she’s very, very tough.”

The win continued good form for the Moroney/Gerard stable, who gained success with On the Rocks (Alamosa) in the Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m) at Ellerslie, and now equal second favourite ($6.00) for the $1m Vodafone New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) on the same course this Saturday.

Set to continue his association with On the Rocks, winning rider Jake Bayliss said: “She’s (Our Showgirl) pretty one-dimensional and has a mind of her own, but found her rhythm and kept running strongly to the line.”

Our Showgirl became the sixth individual winner (18 wins) for the dual winning Zabeel mare, Showzeel, and interestingly Paul Moroney purchased her half-brother by Rock ‘N’ Pop (Fastnet Rock) for $55,000, from the Valachi Downs draft, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale and the two-year-old colt is currently undergoing his second prep at the Ballymore stables.

Our Showgirl was strapped by Pam Gerard.