More Joyous makes it 5 Group 1 wins in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes
Starting the shortest-priced favourite of the day, More Joyous was never threatened in Rosehill Race 3, flashing home for her fifth elite level victory to date.
Unbeaten this prep now having won four straight, More Joyous jumped away beautifully from her ideal barrier two draw.
Jockey Nash Rawiller settled her into second poised on the back of her stablemate and early leader Montana Flyer.
Montana Flyer set a frantic pace, leading by up to four lengths in the opening stages.
The field all came round the turn a little wide, but it was obvious which horse was going to win.
In an expertly timed and executed ride for Rawiller, who has now ridden More Joyous 13 times for 11 of her career wins, the favourite bolted to the front with 200m to go.
From there it was cruise control, Rawiller sitting pretty on the star and not having to ask More Joyous for anything.
Coasting to the line, More Joyous finished an impressive 2 ¾ lengths ahead of a gallant Melito while $51 roughie Happy Hippy was a further 1 ¾ lengths away in third.
Fourth place went to Palacio De Cristal who was ridden a lot closer on the speed than usual today, while Montana Flyer faded to finish fifth ahead of Set For Fame last.
“She won like the short priced favourite she is,” Waterhouse said.
Nash Rawiller confirmed the simplicity of the win.
“It was very easy…she just toyed with them,” he said.
After the race the bumper Rosehill crowd gave More Joyous a celebrity reception, packing around the mounting yard to cheer her back to scale.
“Isn’t she well named,” Waterhouse said with a smile before saying how lucky the fans in Sydney were to have such a wonderful miler to come out and see.
The daughter of More Than Ready certainly bought plenty more joy to her connections now having won 14 of her 18 career starts for over $2.2 million in prize money.
Now with two Sydney wins to her name, More Joyous will head to Randwick for the $2 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) on April 16.
Rawiller is confident More Joyous will add a sixth Group 1 to her record in the Doncaster.
“She’s still got improvement I reckon,” Rawiller said after today’s win.
“She’s going to be prime for it (the Doncaster).”
2011 Queen of the Turf Stakes Finishing Order
