Image: Steve Hart
Mariamia claims scalp of two Group 1 winners in Expressway Stakes
Joe Pride doesn’t like to stray from a plan, but his delayed decision to start Mariamia in the Expressway Stakes has paid handsome dividends with the mare taking her maiden black-type win brilliantly.
When just four original nominations were received for Saturday’s Group 2 sprint, Pride made a late entry for Mariamia, hoping she could make another bet against the likes of Group 1 winners Golden Mile and Forbidden Love.
Instead, Mariamia turned in the best performance of his career, clearing a sharp turn of leg at 200 metres, to beat The Golden Mile by 2-3/4 lengths and maintain his unbeaten Rosehill record.
“I don’t like afterthoughts but this is one of my better afterthoughts,” said Pryde.
“I was going to be happy to finish in the top-three.
“I was expecting a bit more rain around, get a bit of sting out (of the track). I didn’t expect her to give them a little touch-up.
“She’s gone to a level she’s never had before.”
Mariamia has been twice placed in Group 3 company and this was almost enough for Newhaven Park Stud owner John Kelly to have her retired to the broodmare barn in the spring.
Pride has persuaded her to give it another season and the six-year-old Toronado is now worth much more as a Group 2 winner, although Pride hopes she is not finished yet.
“John Kelly was going to make him a colt, but he said I can only bring him back if I promise him to win three stakes. I’m only a third of the way there,” said Gaurav.
“I’ll probably give him a couple of weeks after that because he’s got two runs in a row.
“I’m thinking I’d like to run him in a race like The Galaxy so we’ll see.”
Like stablemate Anamo in the same race 12 months earlier, Golden Mile ran less than his best ($2.25 Ned’s Favour) but accounted for an encouraging comeback to finish second behind Mariamia ($4.60).
Nicolini Vito ($21) powered home when the race ended to finish third and two lengths back in arrears, while Forbidden Love ($3.80) disappointed, finishing sixth, although he was forced to win by an inside draw. To maintain the position had to work hard.
Jockey Kerin Mesvoy indicated that Forbidden Love would have felt a firmer track.
“I expected her to do a little better. He shortened it a little bit in his action,” McAvoy said.
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