Former New Zealand-trained mare Polly Grey (NZ) (Azamour) claimed the most important victory of her career when successful in the Gr.3 Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill on Golden Slipper day.
Presented at the right time under rider James McDonald, Polly Grey pounced to down Aliferous with She’s Ideel finishing third.
The six-year-old mare joined Chris Waller after winning six races for Matamata trainer Kylie Fawcett, including the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) and Saturday’s win was her first since crossing the Tasman, albeit she has never been far away in her 11 starts for Waller.
Fawcett races Polly Grey with her partner Rob Joyce and brother Brook, while she leased a half-share in the mare to Auckland client John Thompson.
“She’s had a bit of bad luck go against her but finally today was her day here in Australia. Hopefully it’s not the last win, I think there’s a few more to come,” Waller said.
“These are her types of races to be realistic. If we continue to get her into good form, and she’ll take some confidence from that, maybe a Doomben Cup (Gr.1, 2000m) could be considered.
“We’ll just keep poking away just below the top tier and I’m sure the owners and connections and people following her will have a bit of fun.”
Bred by the late Barbara Perry, Polly Grey was bequeathed to Fawcett, who looked after Perry’s small broodmare band and young stock at her Oxford Thoroughbreds, 10 kilometres south of Matamata.
Polly Grey is by ill-fated shuttle sire Azamour, who spent just the one season at Brighthill Farm in 2013 before his untimely death at Gilltown Stud in Ireland in 2014.
