Emma-lee Browne ventured to Flemington on Thursday without any expectations regarding how Pondalowie (Deep Field) would perform and left with a win which was celebrated by a raucous group of owners.
Pondalowie, ridden by Billy Egan, led from the outset in The Les Carlyon and extended clear from her rivals over the last 200 metres for a comfortable win in the Benchmark 70 event for three-year-old fillies over 1100m.
“That was a bit of a relief. I’m very excited as we were a little bit disappointed in her. To see her do that is pretty exciting as we came here without any expectations,” she said.
“She’s always shown us so much promise but she’s had a few hiccups early in the preparation and we put her out and let her have a think about a few things. She’s put on a bit of weight since.”
At her last start Pondalowie, who was purchased out of Prima Park’s 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 draft, finished third at Pakenham behind Niance (NZ) (Swiss Ace) on February 29.
The ownership group included one member who wore a Monkey Mask after the win.
Browne explained that he was an owner of Ziva which made masks and they had nominated the name Discovery Channel for the Deep Field filly but it was rejected.
