Regally-bred filly Grand De Flora (NZ) (Savabeel) recorded back-to-back wins at Sandown on Wednesday when taking out her 1600m contest.
The Danny O’Brien-trained filly powered home late from the rear of the field to grab the lead at the 200m mark and was able to hold off the late challenge of Mrs O’Malley to win by three-quarters of a length.
“It worked out perfectly,” stable representative Ben Gleeson said. “They went a good tempo out in front and as Craig (Williams, jockey) and I discussed before the race, you have just got to let her settle where she is comfortable.
“He did that for her today and she finished it off. As her trackwork has shown at home, she is improving at the moment and I think the further we step her out the better she will be.”
The daughter of Champion New Zealand sire Savabeel and triple Group One-winning mare Daffodil has now won five of her eight starts and her connections are now looking to test her over more ground.
“That’s two wins now at 1600m, so it should have her cherry ripe for a step-up to 2000m and hopefully those bloodlines come to the fore in her next few runs,” Gleeson said.
