Myamira flashed home late to give veteran jockey Robert Thompson another win at Group level in the Group 3 Belle Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Gosford this afternoon.
Robert Thompson steered Myamira to victory in the Belle Of The Turf Stakes at Gosford this afternoon. Photo by: Daniel Costello
The Belle Of The Turf Stakes was run at a quick early tempo, which played into the hands of Myamira who settled towards the tail of the field before being taken wide by Thompson coming around the final turn.
The Beautiful Crown mare hit the front with 150 metres left to run and ran away from the rest of the field to record a comfortable victory from the Darley duo of Pleiades and La Pieta, while well-backed favourite Two Blue tired badly in the final stages of the race.
Thompson accepted rides right around Australia this week, picking up mounts at Newcastle, Wyong and Devenport, and will ride Sagatona in the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast tomorrow.
The veteran jockey said after the race that his plan was always to settle Myamira at the tail of the field and revealed that he was delighted that the leaders elected to set such a quick pace in the early stages of the race.
“I wasn’t worried much and she likes to race like that anyway,” Thompson said.
“There was a lot of pressure up front and there was a lot of speed.
“This is a beautiful track for her and she likes this sort of ground.
“When she lets go she has a pretty good 400 metre sprint in her.
“I was starting to track up pretty good and I had to make a quick decision and as I said she can really sprint for 400 metres.
“She circled them pretty quickly.”
Sagatona only earnt a start in the Magic Millions Classic following the scratching of Nordic Empire, due to a torn hamstring on his near side, but Thompson believes that the Real Saga filly will be competitive in the $2 million event tomorrow.
“I am on the first emergency but she has got a run,” Thompson said.
“She is an outside chance but I think that she will beat more home than what will beat her.”
The win of Myamire was the first victory at Group level for trainer Rodney Northam, who watched the race at the Magic Millions sales on the Gold Coast, since Rosa’s Spur took out the 2007 edition of the Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm.
