DELIGHTFUL MEMPHIS BRILLIANT IN WINTON CUP
The sensational NZ 3YO fillies record run over 2400m (stand start) of 2:55.5 by Delightful Memphis in the Winton Business Cup on Sunday, April 9, is unlikely to be challenged for some time.
Despite improving track conditions throughout NZ, the time was a good reflection and a deserved momento for a high class unlucky to be born in the same year as dominant All Stars filly, Spanish Armada.
Delightful Memphis, and Blair Orange, are clear of Bettor Ops at the end of the Winton Businesses Cup on Sunday, April 9, won in NZ record time for a 3YO pacing filly. (Bruce Stewart photo).
She smashed the former mark of 2:59.9 set by Talkerup at Ashburton on Boxing Day, 2015.
Nothing could detract from the performance of the Overport Lodge-trained filly Delightful Memphis, who accepted for the race with a note of caution as a final step to qualifying for the Southland Oaks Final on April 30.
She hadn’t even had a public workout from a stand start but began like a professional off the 20m line for regular driver Blair Orange, underlining that very good horses handle whatever is put in front of them.
She was soon in the running line trailing up three, then four back on the outer, beginning the final lap.
The daughter of Bettor’s Delight and Memphis Melody improved sharply wide at the 600m to be matching strides with front-running Torrid Bromac turning for home and ran clear to win by 1 1/4 lengths.
She rated 1:57.7 for the 2400m, the leaders running their last 800m in 55.4s and closing 400m in 27.2s.
Delightful Memphis joins stablemate Ariadne Lavra as Mark Jones-trained representatives chasing success in the upcoming $45,000 Southland Oaks Final at Invercargill.
Other leading south Oaks contenders include Seaswift Joy, Bonnie Joan, Somejoy, Better B Chevron, Trendy Bromac, Sheezus and Sheeza GNP.
With Saturday’s win, Delightful Memphis took her record to six wins and 11 placings from 18 starts for $214,089.
The win was the 39th training success of the season for trainer Mark Jones, and brought up the 137th driving win for the term for Blair Orange.