Quality filly Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor) gave her age-group rivals a start and a beating at Pukekohe on Saturday when she cleared out for a hollow victory in the second race on the card, the Auckland Co-op Taxis 1400 (1400m) for the three-year-olds.
Eased to the rear by rider Craig Grylls, the Andrew Forsman-trained runner idled along on the Heavy 10 surface before Grylls asked her to move into contention approaching the home bend.
Any concerns she may not handle the testing conditions were quickly put to bed as Grylls kept her under a strong hold as she levelled up to pacemakers Geldof (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) and Cintivee (NZ) (Tivaci), before cruising clear at the 250m to win under double wraps by more than five lengths at the line.
The victory was just reward for the daughter of Almanzor who had raced in stakes company for her last seven starts, where she finished no further back than sixth and was runner-up twice at Group Two level.
Forsman was satisfied with the result as he contemplates where to next for his charge.
“I think she probably does handle these conditions okay and she was the class horse of the field,” Forsman said.
“There are a couple of options for her now in either Brisbane or Melbourne or she could just go to the paddock.
“She’s had a long season and has been up a while so we will sit down and work it out.
“She has been all around it (this campaign) with Molly Bloom being her nemesis and she would go to the paddock with multiple black type placings, although it’s just a shame she’s not a winner at that level but she will get there in time.”
Grylls was pleased to see Mary Shan pick up a win and was happy with the way she handled the underfoot conditions.
“Her last two runs have been quite good after a little freshen up,” he said.
“She didn’t have a lot of favours last time and today she was third up and too strong.
“It’s pretty testing out there but she got through it okay.”
Out of the unraced High Chaparral mare Shanzam, Mary Shan was purchased for $180,000 by Forsman out of the Prima Park draft during the Book 1 Sale at Karaka in 2022.
She has now won two of her 11 starts and over $161,000 in prizemoney for owners Jackie Rogers and Gerald Shand.
