IMA ROCA BE WINS LISTED RYDER STAKES

Ima Roca Bee (El Roca) wins the last stakes race of the season, the Listed Ryder Stakes at Otaki.

Raised and grazed on the rolling hills of Mapperley Stud, the talented filly produced a fine finish down the outside to win the 2 year-old feature over 1200m.

The 2 year-old daughter of El Roca had come into race running a super 2nd in the Listed Castletown stakes behind Danger Strykes (Astern) and went one better on this occasion, with a patient ride by young apprentice Erin Leighton.

Congratulations to trainer Karyn McQuade, who also bred the filly with husband Hamish. Ima Roca Bee has some early season 3 year-old targets ahead of her, mainly the Listed O'Leary Fillies Stakes over 1200m at Whanganui.

“We’re just thrilled with the win as she has showed us she has ability, but probably wasn’t quite there mentally early on,” Hamish McQuade said.

“She just wanted to do everything at a million miles an hour and that was how she was in her first couple of starts.

“After she had a break, she settled down nicely and has come back really well.

“She has a deceptive appearance as she isn’t that big overall, but she has long legs and a really long stride.

Ima Roca Bee is out of the Pentire mare Shelly Bee, who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Metropolitan Hcp winner Herculian Prince. Shelly Bee is currently in foal to exciting young sire Complacent and is due next week. Shelly Bee has a date pencilled in with emerging young sire sensation Contributer..