Gladiatrix repels the interstate raiders winning the New South Wales Trotters Oaks

Last season’s leading two year old filly Gladiatrix (Elite Stride) scored her first win as a three year old in the grandest possible way in a storming finish in the $75,000 Group 1 Yabby Dam Farms New South Wales Oaks at Menangle on Saturday evening.

A winner of six races last season Gladiatrix had a looked a bit unlucky in several of her runs this season and in this exceptionally strong field it was considered that she might have found the opposition a bit too talented.

It was a classic drive by young reinsman Lleyton Green who was drawn the widest and he was content to allow Gladiatrix to settle down in a one out and two back trail.

GLADIATRIX 2 MAY REPLAY

Amy Day looked for the lead on Adelaide Red and she found it but wasn’t given much respite with Hallbesofine moving up to race outside the leader. Meanwhile favourite the Victorian Jilliby Aura landed in the perfect one out and one back trail with Gladiatrix right behind her.

The race really came to life when Luke McCarthy on second favourite Elle Perfecto took off and caught the field napping going to the lead with about 1000 metres to travel. Elle Perfecto still led on the final bend but couldn’t get a clear break while Adelaide Red was looking for an inside run.

However out wide both Jilliby Aura and Gladiatrix issued strong challenges and they gathered the field in within the shadows of the post. Gladiatrix finished that little bit better than Jilliby Aura to prevail by a neck with Aldebaran Ada finishing along the rails to edge out Elle Perfecto for third. Gladiatrix rated 1.59 for the 2300 metres including a last quarter in 28.7 seconds.

Gladiatrix’s success was another triumph for Colin and Kerry McDowell. They raced her dam Maximiser who went 1.56.4 winning 13 races including the Bathurst Gold Coronet and the New South Wales Foundation Series final for two year olds.

In reflecting on his first Group 1 success driver Lleyton Green stated

Its just amazing. To get my first Group 1, I’ve run many placings and to finally to get my first win is amazing. She’s got brilliant speed, she always has from day one. I reckon it’s the first time we’ve done it with one sit. Because she normally rolls forward and gets the front. But tonight we didn’t and she was driven for one run. That was always going to be a good thing for her.

Early on we thought she was going to be really good. She won all her early starts. She went to Melbourne in the VicBred Final and Breeders Crown Final and unfortunately made a mistake in both of them. So we were pretty heartbroken about that.

Anyhow she came back as a three year old and she’s been absolutely professional since then.

We finally got it all together tonight and get the Group 1. We’ve had the family for four or five generations so to get the group 1 tonight is special for their own bred horses.

In a blanket finish one to follow would be the Brent Lilley trained Aldebaran Jazmine who came from well back to be right on their heels for a close fifth. The filly is a reliable trotter and in the capable hands of Lilley who has a knack of producing above average trotters.

 

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink