Well-related mare salutes at Flemington

[Wandering Eyes]

Race favourite Watersports (NZ) (Ocean Park), the half-sister to dual Group One winner Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj) made in three wins from her last four starts when she held out a determined late challenge from Maisy (Pierro)to take out the Benchmark 78 Good Friday Appeal Plate (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Rider Damian Lane had her beautifully positioned one out in third before tackling the leaders early in the long run home.

Just as the daughter of Ocean Park looked to be cruising, Maisy appeared with her challenge and the pair went stride for stride to the line as Watersports gained the upper hand to win by a head.

Trainer Archie Alexander had entertained thoughts of defeat when Maisy ranged alongside his charge but her toughness and determination won out in the end.

“I held my hands up and thought ‘well, she’s run a super race but we’ll run second today’,” Alexander said. “She’s got that determination, got her head in front and the race went as we planned.

“I had a chat to Damian this morning and it happened exactly how we thought it might.

“Today was good but now we can look at how long she will race and she’s never let us down.”

Alexander is keen to see the mare contest some of the feature events during the upcoming South Australian Autumn Carnival.

“She is making our life very easy,” he said.

“She keeps presenting well and loves racing. We’ll freshen her up and focus on Adelaide in the autumn.

“She doesn’t like it very wet and we’ll keep an eye on that.

“We’ll go to Adelaide as she’s won a midweek and now she’s won a Saturday race being by a Group One winner, getting some black type is a key for her.

“We’re looking at the City Of Adelaide (Listed, 1400m) which is her sweet spot and then there’s mile options after that.”

Lane was also pleased with how well the mare fought when tackled by the eventual runner-up.

“She’s been in great form and Archie has had her going so consistently,” he said.

“Well done to Archie and his team as he’s had a nice winner on Guineas Day.

“The race worked out well today. She got really competitive when it mattered and wanted to win. That is a trait that will take horses a long way.

“She is probably best out to 1500m. She has won at a mile and she was able to sustain her gallop today over the 1400m which really helped us out at the end of the race as well.”

Watersports was bred by Jamieson Park and is by Ocean Park out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Starwish.

Lime Country Thoroughbreds offered her during the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where she was bought for A$75,000 by Alexander Racing and Rogers Bloodstock.

She has now had 16 starts for four wins, eight placings and A$221,050 in prize-money.

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