Otaki Stakes Option for Flashy Debutante

Showy chestnut filly Flash Mary (El Roca-Claudy Eire, by Promontory Gold) showed she has plenty of substance to add to her good looks when she made a winning debut at Ellerslie yesterday, reports racingnews.co.nz. The 2YO daughter of El Roca was having her first start off the back of an eye-catching win over 900m at the Te Rapa trials last month, with punters installing her as the $2.60 favourite for the 1200m contest on the testing Heavy11 surface. Refusing to yield after copping a buffeting from horses on either side of her in the run, Flash Mary picked herself up and drove to the front to gain victory by a half-length. Trainer Debbie Sweeney had been hoping for a good run from her charge but had her doubts about how well she might handle the track conditions. "Every El Roca I've had before has liked it much firmer than that, but I think she is just so tough that she got through on sheer determination," said Sweeney. "She has always shown us she has ability, but she can be quite a handful at home as she is pretty fiery." Among the options for Flash Mary moving forward is a tilt at the Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki on July 31. Flash Mary hails from an extended family that includes Gr1 Telegraph Handicap (1200m) winner Lady Madonna and Gr1 Railway Handicap (1200m) winner Recurring. She is raced by a syndicate including her purchaser Brian Black who outlaid $9,250 to secure her from the Hedwood Thoroughbreds draft during the 2020 NZB South Island sale conducted on Gavelhouse Plus.

Flash Mary ploughed through tough conditions (pic: Trish Dunell)