Face Off, a five year old gelding by Face Value from Garden Flower, won the last at Moonee Valley on Friday night – a $100,000 sprint over 1200 metres by half a length. Less than twenty four hours later, his half sister Rhodamine, by Success Express won at Colac over the same distance.
“She looks great” said Ricky Maund prior to the race “her coat is gleaming”. Rhodamine doesn’t always perform well fresh, but she certainly did yesterday. Apprentice Thomas Sadler used the three gate wisely and took her to the front. Outside her and applying pressure was the race favourite Lady Way. But well rated by Thomas, Rhodamine was able to kick clear after straightening. She was strong at the line to win by a length and a half.
Later on Saturday Greywin won at Cranbourne over 1400 metres, giving trainer Ricky Maund a treble in two days.
“Rhodamine is a beautiful looking well conformed mare, and I’m sure she would produce good types of foals. We would welcome her into the breeding barn next season,” remarked Lauriston’s bloodstock manager Paul Eden.
It capped a tremendous weekend for Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm.
Rapidement, who is from a well performed race family, earned her spot in the breeding barn for the 2012 season with her impressive last to first victory at Moonee Valley and Rhodamine had inched her way closer with her victory at Colac. The win by her half brother, Face Off did not do any harm to her chances.
Alcohol’s win at Moonee Valley also improved the page of Lauriston’s broodmare Tendue and her progeny.
