DOMINANT WIN BY MADAME LE FAY

Previous course winner Madame Le Fay (5 m Smart Missile – Lady Le Fay, by Thorn Park) recorded a dominant second-up victory in the $14,000 Macmillan Accountants Rating 65 1560 metres on 28 December at Rotorua.

Having looked good winning on soft ground over 1400 metres in May at Rotorua, Madame Le Fay closed the margin when resuming without a trial in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 19 November at Pukekohe, and took the necessary improvement.

Ridden by Cameron Lammas, Madame Le Fay utilized barrier two to lead, travelled bullishly, had them all chasing at the 600m and simply gave nothing else a look in as she strode clear to win easing down by three and a quarter lengths.

She was well handled by Lammas, who not long ago returned to race riding, and knows the course like the back of his hand.

On footing upgraded to Good3, Madame Le Fay ran 1560 metres in 1:33.0 and held steady to return $13.40 & $4.10 on the NZ TAB tote.

A big strapping mare by Todman Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) winning sire Smart Missile (Fastnet Rock), Madame Le Fay is out of a mare by Stradbroke Handicap (Gr. 1, 1400m) winning stallion Thorn Park (Spinning World).

Dam Lady Le Fay was a six time winner from 1400m – 2100 metres, including the Anzac Mile (Listed, 1600m), while also finishing runner-up in a Group Three and fourth at Group One level, both at Randwick.

Madame Le Fay was bred by Michael Hughes (Michael Hughes Bloodstock), who bought her dam Lady Le Fay as a yearling for $25,000, and owned by him and his parents Greg & Cheryl Hughes.

“It’s not too surprising as she always shown ability and just shows that you have to be patient,” Hughes said.

“She came from off the speed to win here in May, but she found the front without having to do too much and she was able to do her own thing.

“It’s good to have this mare because, unfortunately, Lady Le Fay passed away and this was her only foal.”

Having only her second start for Ballymore Stables, co-trainer Pam Gerard said: “I thought she would settle back after being slowly away fresh-up over 1200 metres.

“Hughsey suggested we try and ride in the first four from barrier two and when Cameron (Lammas) gave her a squeeze, off she went to lead.

“She’s got ability and that certainly helps and hopefully she can stay in Rating 65 grade and we target a Saturday stake race.

“She’s sound and she’s doing very well in the stables. She’s massive, but well covered now and maturing nicely.”

Gerard was also happy with the fresh-up performance by Battle Sound (Belardo), staging a big finish for second in Rating 65 1215 metres.

Battle Sound produced an enormous debut effort to win over 1200 metres in October at Matamata, and was having just his third start.

“He went super because if there’s any trouble to had, he’s usually in the middle of it,” Gerard said. “He pushes you around, but he’d calmed down over the last three weeks and he seemed to cope with things pretty well today.

“He was pretty chilled after the race, but still learning and hopefully he continues to do things right.”

Madame Le Fay was strapped by Will Petitis.