LIVVY LASS STORMS TO VICTORY

A rather brilliant ride saw Livvy Lass (5 m Reliable Man – Stella Doro, by Faltaat) home to victory in the $30,000 Barfoot & Thompson Rating 65 1600 metres on Melbourne Cup Day at Ellerslie.

Thoroughly deserving of her Maiden victory over 1600 metres on 18 October at Avondale, it was thought Livvy Lass could measure up with a rise in grade, which she duly did under a pinpoint ride by Ryan Elliot.

Acquiring the mount at late notice to replace Cameron Lammas, Elliot switched Livvy Lass to the fence, 13th on the inner, stood the leader 10 lengths at the 600m, and shunning the potential of being blocked in the straight she was fortunate to gain a split two off the fence at the 200m before sprinting hard for a narrow victory.

“Having had a spell in July after a good second to Mac Attacka (Makfi) has been the making of her,” said co-trainer Pam Gerard. “She had been unlucky not to win in her first campaign, placing in good fields, but she’s grown in confidence to come back and win two out of three.

“She’s always had the ability and taking gaps like she did showed her confidence, where as in the past she might have hesitated. She’s happy to go through them now and she’s got a quick sprint.”

On Good3 footing conducive to slick times, Livvy Lass ran the 1600 metres in 1:34.4, last 600m in 34.4, and paid $17.90 & $3.90 on the NZ TAB tote.

Bred and owned by Graham & Catherine O’Kane and Lisa Dillon, Livvy Lass is from a very good family – one with plenty of upside – and she shares a similar form pattern to her dam. Stella Doro took time to break through, but once accomplished she became an impressive winner of four races up to a mile and performed at peak during the summer months. She has now produced six individual winners of 19 races.

The year younger brother to Livvy Lass, Reliable Team (Reliable Man), was a Ready to Run Sale topping colt ($430,000) and after being prepared initially in NZ he has now won two of his four starts in Hong Kong.

Hayden Dillon, husband of owner Lisa Dillon said: “We bred her after buying the mare (Stella Doro) for $1500. We actually sold this filly for $30,000 at the sales, but unbeknown to us we saw her for sale again on Gavelhouse and bought her back for $8,000. And, she’d be broken in for us. She raced by Lisa and her parents.

“So, here we are winning on Melbourne Cup Day at Ellerslie. It’s been a cool story so far and I’d like to thank Pam very much.”

Livvy Lass was strapped by Elish McCall.