Mapperley Stud graduates Thee Auld Floozie and Mime came head to head in a nail biting performance which saw Thee Auld Floozie hold on just long enough to claim the victory.
Stephen Marsh had a Group One smirk on his face after watching Thee Auld Floozie record another feature win at Ellerslie yesterday.
Fresh from her Group One win in the Harcourts Thorndon Mile at Trentham on January 28, Thee Auld Floozie narrowly won the Gr.2 Westbury Classic in a nail-biting finish with fellow Cambridge mare Mime.
“She was brave,” said Marsh, who shares in the ownership of the Mastercraftsman mare. “We freshened her after her last run and she probably just knocked up the last bit. She’s going to be perfect for the Breeders.”
The “Breeders” Marsh is referring to is the Gr.1 $200,000 Fiber Fresh NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha on April 8.
“After that we’ll have a crack at the 2000-metre race fillies and mares race (the Gr.2 Travis Stakes on April 29) at Te Rapa then she’ll go to the paddock.
“She’s a fully grown mare now and I think she’s going to be even better next season.”
Thee Auld Floozie has won 10 of her 28 starts and been a consistent performer in stakes company. Her first black-type win was in the 2015 Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase at Ellerslie and since then she also won the Listed J. Swap Contractors 1400 at Te Rapa on route to taking the Thorndon Mile.
In each of her last three starts, which includes a second to stablemate Seize The Moment in the Listed Anniversary Handicap, she has been ridden by Rosie Myers, who is one of her biggest fans.
“I love this horse – she’s got so much attitude and she tries so hard,” she said. “She puts herself in the race and wants a fight. She won very well again.”
Myers settled Thee Auld Floozie midfield and edged her closer approaching the home turn. She then worked her into the clear and up to challenge with 200 metres to go.
Mime, after being held up after enjoying a lovely run in the trail, dived through late along the inner to make the finish very interesting, but Thee Auld Floozie had done enough to score.