Stay With Me has made a successful transition to black type racing at Moonee Valley this afternoon; producing a scintillating turn of foot to take out the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) ahead of a talent-rich field.
Stay With Me posted a career-best result to date in winning the Atlantic Jewel Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Stay With Me required plenty of luck in transit after being allocated the wide and awkward barrier 14 for her run in the 2015 Atlantic Jewel Stakes, but allowed herself the best possible chance for success when jumping well.
Dwayne Dunn found a great position within the field of 14 for the classy daughter of Street Cry, and allowed early leaders Haybah, Sweet Redemption and Inner City Girl to press forward and string the pack along the fence approaching the bend.
Forced wide rounding onto the final straight, Stay With Me appeared to have just a little too much to do as Haybah cut the corner and pulled out to a two length lead, but mustered a huge late turn of foot to charge home down the outside of the rivals; finding the line ahead of Group 1 winner Pasadena Girl and a brave Jameka.
Stay With Me stamped her claims as one to watch when debuting for second in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) in February this year, but was returned to the paddock after fading late for fifth in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) a fortnight later.
Having taken plenty of benefit from her time in the paddock, trainer David Hayes and Tom Dabernig elected to saddle the filly in a light racing option first-up, and were repaid for the decision when she strode clear to win the APM Group 3.y.o Maiden (1200m) by close to five lengths at Pakenham on August 20th.
Pasadena Girl has remained outright favourite in 2015 Thousand Guineas betting markets since taking out the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) in April, and kicked off her spring campaign well with second in the 2015 Atlantic Jewel Stakes.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Jameka also returned to racing in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes and is sure to take plenty of benefit from her performance for third.
