LILY D'OR SECOND OF TWO DEBUTANTE WINNERS

Ballymore presented not one but two debutante winners on 18 July at Hastings.

After three-year-old filly Petrachor (Redwood) had defied her opposition over 1200 metres, it was the turn of Lily d’Or (3 f Cape Blanco – Zarvana, by Zabeel) to follow suit with an impressive performance in the $10,000 Stock Co Maiden 3YO 1200 metres.

Scratched at the barrier last Saturday at Ruakaka, when bumping her nose in the gates, Lily d’Or had taken no ill effects and although destined to go further she possessed the natural ability to win first-up over a sprint trip.

Ridden by Donavan Mansour, Lily d’Or worked forward from an awkward draw (9) to lead off the rail, found two lengths to the 200m, before striding clear to win easing down by nearly four lengths.

Running the 1200 metres in 1:13.1 on Slow8 footing, she paid $3.60 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote.

Boasting royal bloodlines, out of a mare that resulted from the mating of Champion stallion Zabeel (Sir Tristram) and million-dollar earner Giovana (Blues Traveller), Lily d’Or earned favouritism not only having been un-extended to win a trial but also given her imposing physique.

A beautiful mare, Giovana won four Group Ones, including the Queensland Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m), Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) and two weight-for-age races over 2000 metres, before leaving some highly sought after progeny. Her first foal, Chivana (Fusaichi Pegasus), made $350,000 in 2005 at Karaka, and four years later came sale topper Medici (Encosta De Lago) for $800,000. She has since had progeny sell for $200,000 and $310,000 respectively.

Giovana was owned and trained by Carol Marshall, and in association with Bob Morris she has bred from and offered her progeny for sale, while the pair shares in the ownership of Lily d’Or.

“She is a lovely filly that will just keep getting better and obviously 1200 (metres) was way too short for her,” said co-trainer Pam Gerard. “I’m so excited for Carol Marshall and Bob Morris. I’d like to thank them very much for entrusting me with her and some of their other horses.

“It was a long way to Ruakaka to be late scratched, and hard for them, but hopefully today has made up for it.

“She still has to learn a few things and hasn’t been behind horses as yet, but she’s very natural, sensible, and a lovely filly.”

Gerard said Lily d’Or could now go for a break, but a decision would be left until seeing how she pulls up from the win.

“We just want to keep her head right and Cape Blanco’s seems better with a bit more time and over ground, and I’d like to see her go right through.”

Lily D’or was strapped by Sophie Beadle.