Smart filly continues winning story

[Wandering Eyes]

In her first Saturday assignment, exciting filly Bedtime Story (NZ) (Per Incanto) took it all in her stride at Trentham on Saturday going back-to-back in the Tui Backing A Winner Since 1889 1200.

Bedtime Story was a close-up second on debut at Woodville and soon went one better with a comfortable maiden victory at her local Hastings track last month for trainers Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos. Stepping into Open three-year-old company on Saturday, the filly was well supported to continue her winning form as she started a $4.50 third favourite behind Fashion Icon (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) ($2.50) and Superbly Written (Written Tycoon) ($3.70).

Jockey Kozzi Asano allowed Bedtime Story to settle comfortably in the trail behind Party Rocking (NZ) (Belardo) and angled his mount into a gap between the leader and Bella Corno (NZ) (Charm Spirit) turning for home, before the daughter of Per Incanto showed a dashing turn-of-foot to race clear and score comfortably by 1½ lengths.

Zydenbos, who recently entered into partnership with Lowry, was thrilled to see the filly perform in her first Trentham excursion.

“She was really impressive today, we thought it would be good for her to have the trip down here and have a go down the straight, so we were rapt,” she said.

Zydenbos indicated Bedtime Story will only continue to improve as she matures, with her Per Incanto bloodlines offering versatility over further distances.

“She’s a little bit immature both physically, and still learning the game mentally, so we think as a four and five-year-old will be her go,” she said.

Waikato-based hoop Asano was equally impressed with the filly’s performance, and went on to earn an early double on the Trentham undercard with the Ashley Meadows-trained Waitui Rose (NZ) (Tarzino).

“She always gets cover and gets into her rhythm. She’s done everything right today and wasn’t scared of the little gap,” he said.

“She’s still small, so I think she’s going to improve a lot over time, hopefully I can stick with her.”

Bedtime Story was bred and is part-owned by Henrietta Duchess of Bedford out of an unraced mare in Happy Endings (NZ) (Tavistock). Her granddam is Snap (NZ) (Kingdom Bay), the Duchess’ former Joint Champion Three-Year-Old and New Zealand Filly of the Year who was a five-time Group One winner.

Brighthill Farm will offer a half-brother by Savabeel as lot 118 at the New Zealand National Yearling Sales at Karaka through their Book 1 draft in January next year.

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