Ricky May made the trip from Methven to drive Stylish Memphis for Elite Racing at today’s (Wednesday) Rangiora trials and headed home suitably impressed.
May, who will be kept busy once the Mark Jones and Brendon Hill stable hits top gear, gave the thumbs up after a resounding trial victory, the filly in good order heading towards her first start as a three-year-old.
“She felt really good – a bit keen first up – but felt great when she went,” said the champion driver.
Stylish Memphis rattled through closing sectionals in a good overall 2:30.5 for the 2000m mobile, the leaders home in 57.8, she was clocked in 57.1, the 400m in 28.3, untested and allowed to coast.
“She had nothing race with her (from the 250m mark). If something was there to race her she’d have been off again,” said May.
Mark and Benny have pencilled in the $12,000 Stella Frost Stakes at Wyndham on November 10 as the most likely target before an Alabar Sires Stakes heat leading to the journey north and the riches at Alexandra Park in December.
Her maiden win came when she posted a 26.1 final 400m to beat promising filly Might Be Me (Des Baynes) in winning at Winton in May and was spelled after tidy fifth to Sweet On Me in the Harness Jewels at Addington in a swift 1:57.5 mile rate on a very wet track.