Dixie Blossoms is onto the Group 1 Coolmore Classic 2017 after the classy Ron Quinton-trained mare had an all-too-easy time in the wet winning the Guy Walter Stakes on Chipping Norton Stakes Day.
Dixie Blossoms is onto the 2017 Coolmore Classic after a Guy Walter Stakes win at Royal Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart.
An ultra-consistent daughter of Street Sense, the four-year-old had things her way up front leading all-the-way in the $200,000 Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) on a Heavy (9) Randwick track.
Jockey Tim Clark was handed the spot on front by default on the mare who was coming off a close third in the Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) first-up on February 13.
“She’s obviously a really talented mare,” Clark said after the victory.
“I’m just really wrapped to ride a winner for Ronnie.”
Dixie Blossoms was left alone in the lead heading the field around ahead of the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Flippant who was working away well in second on the back of the Group 2 Breeders Classic third behind In Her Time.
In her autumn return the John Thompson-trained Zanbagh was also up on the speed throughout in third, while jockey Glyn Schofield was having a hard time getting Danish Twist to switch off in fourth.
Clark enjoyed a soft lead on Dixie Blossoms who, once on the straight, was cuddled-up before drawing clear to kick away and canter home absolutely swimming on the wet track.
In the end the Guy Walter Stakes looked nothing more than a barrier trial for the favourite in betting Dixie Blossoms ($3) who had six lengths clear on the line from the runner-up Zanbagh ($9) who battled on well ahead of the third-placed Flippant ($7.50).
“We didn’t know how she’d go on the Heavy track,” Quinton said post-win.
“But she’s such an adaptable mare.
“It worked out really well.”
Quinton’s autumn campaign plans for Dixie Blossoms are working out a treat and she will back-up in a fortnight in the $600,000 Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 11.
“It’s two weeks to the Coolmore so should be ideal,” Quinton, who won the same Group 1 last year with the ill-fated Peeping, said.
To back Dixie Blossoms next race in the Coolmore Classic 2017 at the right price visit Ladbrokes.com.au.
2017 Guy Walter Stakes Results & Finishing Order
Randwick Race 8 – 25/02/2017
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Br. | Wgt. | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | DIXIE BLOSSOMS | Ron Quinton | Tim Clark | – | 9 | 55kg | $3.10F |
| 2 | 2 | ZANBAGH | John P Thompson | Jason Collett | 6.5L | 8 | 56kg | $8 |
| 3 | 6 | FLIPPANT | Peter & Paul Snowden | Corey Brown | 8L | 3 | 54kg | $5.50 |
| 4 | 8 | SHILLELAGH (NZ) | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 8.4L | 5 | 54kg | $5 |
| 5 | 10 | I TOLD GEORGIE | Danny Williams | Jay Ford | 12.2L | 1 | 54kg | $71 |
| 6 | 11 | MALI ROSE | Anthony Cummings | Robert Thompson | 12.9L | 6 | 54kg | $41 |
| 7 | 3 | DANISH TWIST | Kris Lees | Glyn Schofield | 13L | 11 | 55kg | $3.20 |
| – | 1 | FIRST SEAL | John P Thompson | Christian Reith | – | 0 | – | – |
| – | 9 | PRESS REPORT | Kris Lees | Ms Kathy O’Hara | – | 0 | – | – |
| – | 7 | HAPPY HANNAH | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tommy Berry | – | 0 | – | – |
| – | 5 | THAMES COURT | David Brideoake | Tye Angland | – | 0 | – | – |
