James McDonald knew La Amistad had ability but even he was shocked with how impressive the Team Hawkes trained mare was in the W.J McKell Cup at Royal Randwick.
The younger sister of Makybe Diva was giving away a lot of experienced to her rivals but proved she is destined for the top level with a dominant staying performance, crushing Destiny’s Kiss by four lengths with Secessio third.
“She is much better than I thought she was, she towed me there, she did it so easy,” he said.
“I think she is set for the top level, she has a turn of foot that will take her a long way, she is still a baby, I think she will keep improving.”
Given her pedigree and relation to triple Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, bookmakers immediately slashed her price to $26 for the famous Group 1 on the first Tuesday in November.
“She is only a young mare but she is promising, it is just really nice to see her win like that,” said trainer John Hawkes.
“She is not Makybe Diva but she doesn’t have to be, she will make her own path, the owners have been great, really patient and it is paying off.
“That is it now, we will go home and get her ready for the spring.”
– Racing Network
