In just her third start, Abbey Marie stunned her rivals to win the Group 1 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville for Mick Kent.
Does it say more about the quality of a trainer, or the horse – when one wins a 2000m Group 1 race so quickly?
The answer is both – Kent is one of the best horsemen going around and Abbey Marie could be something special.
Kent had been knocking on the door in this race, finishing second with Absolutely in 2011 and third with Scratchy Bottom in 2014.
The Cranbourne trainer went one better on Saturday as Abbey Marie stormed over the top of Silent Sedition and C’est Beau La Vie to claim the $400,000 feature.
While it’s a remarkable feat, Kent was quick to deflect praise to his filly, who is sharper and stronger than her half-sister Absolutely.
“I was really happy with her and the trip didn’t worry me, but she’s just having her third start – it was really hard to line her form up,” Kent said.
“She’s just a beautiful, relaxed filly and she’s coped with the prep.
“She walked around the mounting yard here like an old timer.”
Kent says there is no temptation to push on to Queensland and Abbey Marie will go to the paddock and be set for the Myer Classic in the spring.
Luke Nolen gave the filly a gun ride, but his high was crunched by a nasty fall the following race.
“She was powerful through the line, she’s a very exciting horse,” Nolen said.
“I hate to get too far ahead of ourselves, but to do what she’s done at her first prep, it’s pretty significant.
“She’s got a real future.”
– racing.com
