The talented She's Not Bad began smartly from barrier two for rider Michael McNab and steadied to trail nearing the 800m after an early speed battle up front. She travelled on a nice rein before pouncing at the 250m and drew clear in authoritative fashion.
With one and three-quarter lengths to spare over second placed Hanger (O’Reilly), there was more than five lengths to third. She’s Not Bad ran the 1400 metres in 1:24.7, last 600m in 35.5.
Bred and owned by Mapperley Stud, she became the fifth individual winner for Andra, a mare that won two sprint races to 1100 metres in Australia.
“She’s a nice filly and she looked to do it pretty easily,” Davison said.
Davison is thrilled that the first crop of He’s Remarkable (Pentire) are now starting to hit their straps, as the autumn three-year-old season unfolds.
“His progeny could well stay, with him being out of a Zabeel mare, but this filly showed both gate speed and a turn of foot so we’ll wait and see.
“I guess we’ll also have to wait and see what his progeny’s ideal distance will be, but he’s getting winners since Christmas in New Zealand and Australia. They have needed time and for that reason we could see some nice staying types amongst them.
“I received some really good feedback from people at the Karaka sales in January. Saying they had a bloody nice He’s Remarkable, and that they just needed a bit more time. We’re here in New Zealand, renowned for breeding staying types and hopefully this stallion can do the same. We’re not asking a lot for his service fee ($4,000), so people are prepared to wait a bit longer, and at the end of the day it’s not where the stallion starts, but where they finish.
“Some are thrilled with the horses they have by him and wanting to buy more, so it’s positive to get that feedback from good horseman.
“Where he is in the (stallion) market, he’s always going to have to do it the hard way. But, we’ve seen it before with stallions like Volksraad and Centaine that started off at a lower mark and ended up making a huge impact.
“This is the first one I’ve had to the races and there are more to come out in the next month, so it’s exciting.
