Under-rated filly Still Bangon stepped up to stakes class and prevailed in a nail-biting finish to the Gr.3 LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday.
Trained by Stephen Autridge for owner-breeders Paul and Maureen Guise, the daughter of Satono Aladdin came into Saturday’s black-type debut with a win, three placings and a fourth to her name from her seven previous career starts. That included a relegation to second after being first past the post in a maiden race at Taupo in September.
The beneficiary of that Taupo relegation was Te Akau Racing’s promoted winner Superbly Written. When Still Bangon collected her black-type spoils in the Eulogy on Saturday, those familiar tangerine colours were right alongside her again – this time carried by the runner-up My Lips Are Sealed.
On paper, there appeared to be many chances among a remarkably even line-up for this year’s Eulogy. That was exactly how the $100,000 feature played out on the track too, with more than half a dozen fillies lining up across most of the width of the Trentham home straight to lodge their claims in rain-affected ground.
That number was eventually whittled down to three as My Lips Are Sealed, Still Bangon and Chica Mojito pulled ahead of the rest of the field in the final 150m.
There was nothing between them in a head-bobbing battle to the line, but Still Bangon thrust her neck down at just the right time to snatch victory by a nose for jockey Tegan Newman. My Lips Are Sealed was second, a long head in front of Chica Mojito.
“I’m thrilled to get that result,” Autridge said. “It was a very close finish and a very testing race, but she fought strongly and deserved the win. She’s been racing well all through the spring, so it’s pleasing to see her step up into black-type company and put in a performance like that. To win a Group Three race is absolutely massive for her owner-breeders and great for the filly.
“I’m picking that her next target is going to be at Pukekohe, stepping up over a bit more ground for the Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (Gr.2, 2050m) on New Year’s Day.”
The eighth individual stakes winner among the southern hemisphere progeny of standout Rich Hill Stud shuttle stallion Satono Aladdin, Still Bangon is a daughter of the Guises’ homebred mare Shebang, who herself won five races and is a full-sister to the stakes-performed Elle Tresor.
With Saturday’s Eulogy Stakes victory, Still Bangon earned 6 points in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series. That puts her in equal third spot alongside the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) winner Quintessa.
The table is headed by Impendabelle on 15 points, courtesy of her win in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) and second placing in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). Impressive 1000 Guineas winner Molly Bloom is just behind her on 12 points.