CANDYFLIP WINS AT BIG ODDS

Rewarded for perseverance, Candyflip (6 m Kermadec – Frothed, by Lonhro) won the $25,000 Fairview Motors Maiden 1400 metres on Saturday at Matamata.

Emulating the feat of stable-mate Key Largo (Ocean Park), who won the first race on Wednesday at Tauranga, Candyflip improved after running the fastest last 600m (36.0) for fifth in the Maiden 1400 metres on 20 September at Matamata.

With Jasmine Fawcett retaining the mount, Candyflip made light of the outside gate (15) when beginning swiftly to work across outside the leader and after taking over turning for home she quickened to a winning advantage a furlong out.

“She jumped too well to restrain her, so I let her slide forward and it took no effort to get there,” Fawcett said.

“I galloped her midweek, knew she had a good finish on her, and she just let rip today.

“She was checked here last time, ended up getting back and had to run on and today we had no trouble at all and a beautiful clear run.”

Under showery skies, on footing downgraded from Soft5 to Soft6 following the race, Candyflip ran 1400 metres in 1:25.5, last 600m in 36.1, and paid $25.60 & $6.70 on the NZ TAB tote.

“She’s always been a filly to get back, get her breathing, and finish off, but she came out running and she ran up to how she worked the other day,” said co-trainer Pam Gerard.

“She’s got brains, Jasmine, knew we didn’t want to be in front, but let her slide forward after being caught out in the open, and I think the biggest thing is getting her into a rhythm and letting her breathe.”

Owned by W R Boyd, W N Campbell, C J Pearce, R B McLaren, and Ballymore Stables, Candyflip was selected by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and purchased for $110,000 at the Karaka 2019 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Inglewood Stud.

The family is very well known to Ballymore and the Moroney brothers, as third dam Horlicks (Three Legs), famous for winning the Japan Cup (Gr. 1, 2400m) in world record time, produced Brew (Sir Tristram), whom they trained to win the 2000 Melbourne Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m).

Accepting the spoils on behalf of the owners, Wally Campbell said: “Firstly, thank you to the sponsors and to Pam, who has done a fantastic job.

“Quite a few trainers may have let this filly go as a three-year-old, but she’s just taken time and needed to get everything going right for her.

“Rochelle McLaren rang me from Melbourne this morning to wish everyone good luck. She owns 50 percent and she’s over there watching Osipenko (Pierro) in the Turnbull Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) this afternoon.

“I’d like to thank Ballymore Stables and Mikey (Thompson), a new man on the job there with a lot of enthusiasm which is good to see.”

Candyflip was strapped by Rathore Singh.