Promising mare remains unbeaten with Te Rapa victory
Unbeaten mare Elle Sourit (NZ) (Ocean Park) kept her winning record intact with an eye-catching performance to take out the Super Seth 1500 (1500m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.
The Andrew Forsman-prepared four-year-old opened her raceday account with a smart effort to win a maiden 1400m event at Hawera back in March before overcoming a tardy beginning to race clear over a similar distance in rating 65 company at Pukekohe a month later.
Forsman gave the daughter of Ocean Park a breather before contesting an 1100m trial at Taupo earlier this month to fit her for Saturday’s assignment, where she stepped up to rating 75 grade against some handy older horses in the hands of Joe Doyle.
Doyle had her away safely from an inside barrier where she settled nicely in midfield as race favourite Elle McFab set up a leisurely clip out in front.
Doyle eased Elle Sourit into a challenging position approaching the home bend, where she began to make her run out in the middle of the track with eventual runner-up Solidify on her inner.
Just as Solidify (NZ) (Redwood) looked to have the race won Elle Sourit put in three huge bounds to hit the front in the shadows of the post to claim a long neck victory.
Forsman was thrilled to see his charge perform fresh-up as he believes she still has plenty of development in her.
“It was a good effort today as they only went steadily in front and she looked to hit a bit of a flat spot halfway down the straight,” Forsman said.
“It was a game effort as Joe timed it perfectly and she hit the line well.
“Physically there is still not a lot of her as she is taking her fair time to mature but she is a winner and hopefully she can keep doing that.”
While Forsman wouldn’t be drawn on the next step along the campaign path for the mare she does hold a nomination for the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) which will be held at Ellerslie on Saturday 18 October.
Elle Sourit is a daughter of the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) winner Bel Sorriso (NZ) and hails from an extended family that includes outstanding sayer Smiling Like (NZ), who numbered the Gr.1 Wellington Cup (3200m) and Gr.2 New Zealand Cup (3200m) amongst her seven career wins, while Group One winners Coventina Bay (NZ), Nimue (NZ) and Sirstaci (NZ) also feature.
