Promising filly Cornelia added to the fast start she has made to her career with a determined performance to win over 1200 metres at Te Rapa on Saturday.
The daughter of Westbury Stud’s Swiss Ace came from the back of the field with a sustained finish to score for the second time.
The three-year-old was successful on debut at Taupo and then ran third at Pukekohe before a break and she resumed with a strong effort to finish runner-up.
“She ran so well at Tauranga where there was a frontrunner’s bias, so I was quite impressed,” co-trainer Katrina Alexander said.
“I thought she would be keener out of the gates so she might need 1400 metres.”
Cornelia settled second last in the small field at Te Rapa before improving to third at the top of the straight and she finished resolutely in the run to the judge.
“She ran really well first-up and she travelled into this race well,” winning rider Michael McNab said.
“She is still very new, but she was tidy and will go to a better grade.”
Bred by part-owner Simon Tremain, Cornelia is out of the Mastercraftsman mare Stratosphere whose dam Lamington Vegas won the Listed Ryder Stakes and her sister Fascination Street claimed an edition of the Listed Rotorua Stakes.
“I would love to get her down to Hawke’s Bay, Simon would love to see her at that carnival,” Alexander said.
