Classy Melbourne visitor Ancient Girl (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) was sent out a strong favourite for Monday’s Listed Morphettville Guineas (1600m) and connections and punters alike never had a moment of concern as she cruised to victory by just under three lengths.
Ace jockey Jamie Kah sent the daughter of Turn Me Loose to the front from an outside draw and it was clear from a long way out the opposition were in trouble, with only runner-up Harleymoven making any impression late.
It was the third win from six starts for the Clinton McDonald-trained Ancient Girl, who was also narrowly beaten into third in the Gr.3 Vanity Stakes (1400m) behind Barb Raider, who subsequently won Saturday’s Gr.2 Kewney Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, a race McDonald elected to bypass with Ancient Girl.
“It is great for the owners including Todd Hartley and Doug Painter, they own a share in her sire Turn Me Loose and it was important for them as the stallion is doing an amazing job,” McDonald said.
“He had a Group One winner yesterday and this filly has just won a listed race, so he is a stallion to watch for the future for sure.
“I was happy that Jamie was riding. She came and rode her in trackwork on Wednesday morning and she worked sensational, and Jamie knew to get her into a good rhythm and get her breathing.
“I think that is why Jamie elected to go forward on her. At the end of the day, it is Jamie’s day – what can you say – five winners on Adelaide Cup Day. This day should be all about Jamie Kah.
“We were looking at the Kewney on Saturday and I said to the boys ‘We’ll go there and run well but we’re a chance of running third or fourth.
“We were a chance of coming here today and winning a Listed race and get that in the bank, so we have done that now.
“We will look at where we go next. We have got the Australasian Oaks (Gr.1, 2000m) in mind and I think she will be an even better four-year-old mare. She is going to keep maturing. We won’t go to the well too many times. We will just let her tell us.”
Kah was also impressed with the manner in which the filly settled once she found the lead.
“I was querying her at the mile and didn’t really think she’d switch off enough, but once she got there she proved me wrong, she was really kind and had plenty left,” Kah said.
The victory was another boost for rapidly emerging young sire Turn Me Loose, who stands at Windsor Park Stud, with Ancient Girl, an A$150,000 yearling, bred by David Morris and Jason Thomasen, who both work for the respected Cambridge nursery.
