Madeenaty led from start to finish to record an impressive victory in the 2016 Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington this afternoon.
Madeenaty could hardly have been more impressive in the 2016 Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington this afternoon. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
There was plenty of hype surrounding Madeenaty following an impressive jump out in the lead-up to the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes and she took up the running in the early stages of the race before she raced away from her rivals when asked for an extra effort from jockey Mark Zahra.
Zahra said that he identified early that Madeenaty was a filly with plenty of talent and he was clearly pleased that the daughter of Exceed And Excel had been able to get the job done in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes.
“That was impressive,” Zahra said.
“Me and Haysie earmarked her early as being the number one pick and he has done a good job because she was ready to go a month ago.
“With the two-year-olds you want to be right there and she was actually a little keen than what she has been, but when I let the ribbons go nothing was ever going to catch her.”
Co-trainer David Hayes was quick to confirm that Madeenaty is the benchmark two-year-old in his stable at the moment and he was also pleased to see the filly do the job so well under race conditions.
The Hall Of Fame trainer said that the $2 million Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast in January would be the major target for Madeenaty and he revealed that she could have another race start in the Group 3 Emirates Airline Plate (1000m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
“Today is the first time she has actually been off the bit because she has had my lot covered pretty easily,” Hayes said.
“What I pleased to see was that she lengthened and responded really well when Mark asked her under testing conditions for a young horse today.
“We will keep this girl sprinting and obviously target the Magic Millions.
“We will see how she pulls up and we might give her another run during the spring.
“Big race day experience is critical for that Magic Millions and we might run her one more time in the fillies’ race up the straight.
“Normally when you have a dominant one early they stand up all the way through.”
Madeenaty was purchased for $775,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale earlier this year and is out of talented mare Set For Fame.
