Royally bred filly La Dorada justified some inspired betting support when she proved too tough in the closing stages of the Hallmark Stud (1100m) at Te Rapa.
Making her raceday debut for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, the daughter of Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth had impressed when winning an 850m trial at Te Awamutu last month which saw punters install her the $2.70 favourite against her age-group rivals.
Rider Vinnie Colgan was briefly caught three wide in the early stages of the contest but soon found cover behind the pacemakers on the punters elect before making his challenge between runners after Toretto had loomed on his outside rounding the home bend.
La Dorada showed all her fighting qualities as she shook off the attentions of Toretto in the final 150m to charge clear and secure the winning $23,000 first prize in the race, which virtually guarantees her a place in the field for the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on 25 January.
“She certainly didn’t have much go right for her in the running, but it ended up a lovely win and she showed her class,” Walker said.
“I thought she did very well to keep going through the gap when squeezed up between runners in the straight. That’s a really good sign for a two-year-old, especially having her first start.
“She actually motored to the line in really good style, and she’s another lovely filly that Dave (Ellis) bought as a yearling off Waikato Stud.
“We believe Super Seth is a sire on the up and up and we hold his progeny in high regard.
“For La Dorada, it’s all systems go towards black type races and, of course, contesting the Karaka Million 2YO in January.
“We’ll give her a week off and we’ll then set about plans for upcoming races.”
Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis purchased the filly for $190,000 out of the Waikato Stud draft during the Book 1 sale at Karaka earlier in the year after purchasing her dam, Gold Fever, as a yearling for $110,000, from the draft of Sledmere Stud, at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Colgan admitted he was a little anxious during the early stages of the contest when he was trapped wide for the first 400m.
“I drew well and when the horses inside me didn’t go to the fence I was left parked for a little while,” he said.
“I was a little worried but her class got her through it.
“She really rallied when I needed it and she was very gutsy.”
Raced by the Te Akau Solid Gold Racing Partnership, La Dorada is a daughter of former classy juvenile filly Gold Fever who took out the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and finished third in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) in a limited six-race career.
She comes from an extended family that includes another Matamata Breeders’ Stakes winner in Gold Rush, while outstanding Sydney galloper Golden Mile and Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) winner Major Beel also feature.
TAB Bookmakers immediately halved her Fixed Odds quote for the Karaka Millions 2YO from $16 to $8 where Storm Front ($5) currently heads the betting market.