Amicus has delivered leading trainer Chris Waller another black type success late on Makybe Diva Stakes Day at Flemington; producing an impressive late charge to take out the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m).
Amicus savaged the line for success in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1300m) upon resuming three weeks ago, but was surprisingly rated little chance for success in the Let’s Elope Stakes as a $17 outsider.
Amicus produced an impressive late charge to take out the 2015 Let’s Elope at Flemington. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Jumping from the gates well, jockey Craig Newitt led the Fastnet Rock mare in from the awkward barrier 13 and settled mid-pack in the field of 16; allowing early leaders Tawteen and Platinum Rocker to set a fast tempo over the back straight and around the bend.
Arriving at the final straight wide and with plenty to do, success in the Let’s Elope Stakes seemed a little too great a task for Amicus, but she responded with a massive turn of foot in the final 200m to catch leader Vezalay and continue her unbeaten start to the 2015 Spring Carnival.
Craig Newitt partnered Amicus for the first time competitively in the 2015 Let’s Elope Stakes and was impressed by the class displayed by the four-year-old.
“She’s a good mare – a previous Group 1 winner as a three-year-old and came back really good, won first-up,” Newitt said.
“Today it was always going to be a tough assignment after drawing wide but we just rode her quiet, she had a good line into the race and she’s a winner.
“You just let her travel through her gears and through the line she was really strong.”
Melbourne stable representative for Chris Waller, Justine Hales was thrilled to see Amicus return south for the 2015 Let’s Elope Stakes and revealed a race like the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) will likely figure as her major target this time in.
“She’s come down and we were amazed with how much she’s filled out,” Hales said.
“It was a step-up in class today with these mares compared to the other day, but she’s got class and she showed it.
“I think she’ll probably be aimed towards a Group 1 like the Myer or something like that. I’m not quite sure what the hopes are yet but I think that’s probably the way she’ll go.”
Punters who backed Amicus to win the 2015 Let’s Elope Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au have been paid out on generous $15 odds for success!
