City Switch Pays Off For Darley Filly

Tuesday, 06 November 2012 02:46

GenteelTrainer Peter Snowden was undecided about whether to race Genteel at Flemington during Cup Week, thinking that she may not have the class to measure up.

He need not have worried, Genteel powering home late to take out the Schweppes Tonic 1000 in fine fashion leaving a field of smart three year olds in her wake.

“We thought about it for a couple of weeks whether to bring her down or not but she is very lightly raced and from beating pretty moderate company (at Gosford) to come here on Cup day was a bit of an ask but after looking at the field the blokes behind me suggested she was in the race up to her ears.”

And so she was.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy had Genteel well positioned mid-field in the early part of the race behind leader The Travelling Man. At the 400 metre mark he made a move, with Genteel ($3.70-$4.00-$3.90F) showing a lot of accelleration to quickly hit the lead. She was untroubled to win by 2¼ lengths on the line, with Magnier ($3.70-$4.60-$4.20) second and Kolonga ($15-$17) third.

Kerrin McEvoy“I was able to get into a nice spot and she regained her composure (after a bump) and travelled nice and I felt like the winner at the 400m and she kicked away”, McEvoy said.

Genteel's only previous win was at her first start in a two year old Maiden at Kembla Grange last year. Snowden had tried her over 1200 metres in her last preparation but now regards her as a pure sprinter.

“I’ve learnt a bit about her from last preparation and I think 1000 – 1100m is her right go”, Snowden said.

“When you find a turn of foot like that in a 1000m race you’re going to be pretty quick and she had the lovely run today.”

“She is very genuine, lightly raced and has been showing good ability.”

“It was an impressive win and she is a nice filly.”

Snowden will now look for another suitable race for Genteel, a daughter of the speedy Darley sire Exceed and Excel.

“It was a great result, good for the team, we’ve broken the ice and hopefully we can go on from here”, he said.

Photos: Fiona Tomlin Quentin Lang