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Promising three-year-old filly Lilac further enhanced her future value in the matrons paddock when she dictated terms to take out the Gr.3 James HB Carr Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in the hands of James McDonald.
A graduate of Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore draft at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka, Lilac is trained by Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald who had the daughter of Justify tuned to the minute after some strong recent performances including finishing fourth to Lady Shenandoah in the Gr.1 Surround Stakes (1400m) last month.
Despite holding the start up for five minutes due to her shifting a plate, Lilac appeared unperturbed as McDonald took her straight to the front before setting a moderate pace throughout.
Lilac kept her main rival Clean Energy blocked away on her back in the early part of the home straight before booting clear to comfortably hold out a late challenge from More Territories with Clean Energy fighting on well in restricted room to finish third.
Neasham was delighted to secure the victory, one that she felt was much deserved.
“She’s been brilliant all preparation and been thereabouts running great races in the Light Fingers (Gr.1, 1200m) and the Surround behind those really good fillies,” Neasham said.
“I thought she ran a gallant race two weeks’ ago and we were keen to end the prep on this run and we were happy to get James on. He rated her perfectly and cuddled her to the top of the rise and she was very tough.
“I don’t think she came off the bridle at all. It was probably a painful watch for her owners but she’s a very exciting filly going forward.
“She’s so quick out of the gates and maybe she’s relaxing a bit better now. I’ve always thought that 1400m would be her max but the way she relaxed today, it was pretty comfortable in the end.”
Neasham is keen to see the filly have a good break now as she believes she will be even better next season.
“We’ll chat with Champion Thoroughbreds and Coolmore as well (owners) now,” she said.
“There’s a great team of owners in this filly and the racing for four-year-old mares, there’s such a good program for them.
“There’ll be lots and lots of races for her like The Invitation (A$2 million, 1400m). Onwards and upwards for her.”
McDonald also enjoyed the victory on the free-going filly.
“She was good. She’s a solid horse who enjoys a gallop and that’s what she did today,” he said.
“The drop back in grade was perfect for her and while maybe she was a tad keen from (the barrier) seven, as she gets older, she’ll get better.
“She’s run against the best of them, you know, in a race where Lady Of Camelot and Lady Shenandoah dominated and while she’s a tier below them that’s her race (today).”
Lilac was bred by Katom and is by Coolmore Stud stallion Justify. Her dam is Paulownia, who raced in the Coolmore colours and was trained by Jamie Richards to finish second in the Gr.2 Wellington
Guineas (1400m) at Trentham in 2018. Paulownia is also a full-sister to Group One winner and sire Foxwedge.
Offered by Curraghmore in Book 1 of Karaka 2023, Lilac was bought by Jason Abraham’s Champion Thoroughbreds and Annabel Neasham Racing for $300,000.
Previously a Listed winner, Lilac has now had nine starts for three wins and A$374,975 in prizemoney. – NZ Racing Desk
