Written by Paul Vettise
Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) shed the unwanted tag of the country’s best-performed maiden when she collected an overdue victory in the G2 Skycity Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie.
The filly, who had won and lost a race on protest at Hastings in late winter, had been in the money in all three spring appearances, including a runner-up finish in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton where she finished after clearing traffic problems in the run home.
Jennifer Eccles travelled comfortably three wide, but with cover, and she quickly put the issue beyond doubt when jockey James McDonald asked her to lengthen stride 250 metres from home to down Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) and Showoroses (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}).
“You should never be over confident in a Group 2, but she had a champion jockey, a good draw and a turn of foot better than anything else,” trainer Shaune Ritchie said.
“I don’t think there will be a more deserving maiden winner at the carnival. She is a sweetheart of a filly and now there’s the Desert Gold S. and a crack at the Oaks. That’s the logical way to go.”
“I don’t think there will be a more deserving maiden winner at the carnival.” – Shaune Ritchie
Jennifer Eccles was purchased at New Zealand Bloodstock's National Weanling Sale by syndicator Adrian Clark for NZ$5000 out of the Westend Partnership’s draft.
“Great kudos to Adrian. He buys some cheap horses and has great success with them,” Ritchie said.
Jennifer Eccles is a daughter of Platinum Elle (NZ) (Elnadim {USA}), who won four times and was a black type placegetter and she is from the family of the former top line sprinter and multiple Group 1 winner Sacred Kingdom (Encosta de Lago).
The connections of Jennifer Eccles celebrating her maiden win
McDonald said he had few worries during the race and was impressed by the 3-year-old’s acceleration.
“She’s a really nice filly. She was a bit keen early and then I was able to pop off three wide. She cruised around them and has got a devastating turn of foot.
“I’d have to say she might be a bit suspect at an Oaks trip, but she’d definitely get up to a mile and a-quarter. She gave me an excellent feel and I’m glad I got the job done.”
Classic tilt
Talented filly Travelling Light (NZ) (El Roca) has earned another shot at an elite title with her victory at Ellerslie in the Listed Uncle Remus S.
The Ben Foote-trained filly has now won four times with her only defeat when third in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas and next on her dance card is the G1 Levin Classic.
“She’s a fantastic filly. I thought I might have settled a bit closer, but I got a good run and pulled out at the corner,” rider Jason Waddell said. “She wobbled a bit on the turn, but she’s as brave as they come.”
Travelling Light is owned her breeder Col MacRury, who also raced the filly’s dam Cissy Bowen (NZ) (Colombia {NZ}), the winner of five races.
“She needed that run after having 14 days in the paddock after the Guineas,” he said. “I’d say we’re definitely going for the Levin Classic now.”
