Johannapine Works To Keep Flawless Record Alive At Flemington

Johannapine will attempt to keep her unbeaten record alive when she takes her place in the Tauto Handicap at Flemington tomorrow.

The lightly raced four-year-old mare has had just two race starts during her career, and has manged to win each of them.

Johannapine won her debut start at Ballarat by an extraordinary eight lengths before winning her next start by a nose ahead of Invincible Jess.

Trainer Mark Webb was thrilled after Johannapine jumped awkwardly, struck interference and hung in during the race and still emerged with the win.

“She probably did everything wrong that day and still won,” Webb said.

“There’s always a concern (when a horse hangs in) but some of it certainly was a little bit of immaturity.

“The fact that she’d had a long time in between preparations (was also a factor) but she seems to be in good stead.”

While the Johannesburg mare has not had an official race start since June last year, she has run in two barrier trials.

“She won her first one and had a soft trial next and finished second while being held,” Webb said.

The trainer is optimistic about his mare’ s chances going into tomorrow’s Tauto Handicap.

“It’s a bit of a test (but) she certainly has got a brilliant turn of foot.”

“She’s certainly got a natural balance with that speed.”

Webb is confident that Johannapine will be up to the task of competing in Black Type races in the near future if her preparations are managed correctly.

“On times that she runs on the track and whatnot she certainly matches up to (stakes level),” he said.

“She may only have 2 or 3 runs this time in.”

 

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