Winner: Panipique (Testa Rossa-Our Quivira)
Race: MRC Quezette Stakes LR (1100m)
Passed for: $240,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Turangga Farm (As Agent)
Reserve: $250,000
Earnings: $85,288
Owner(s): Ramsey Pastoral Co Pty Ltd Syndicate (Mgr: SB Ramsey)
Trainer: Peter Moody (Caulfield)
Favourite punters were left reeling at Caulfield today when well bred filly Panipique overcame troubles to beat hot favourite Crystal Lily in the listed Quezette Stakes (1100m).
Punters sent out Crystal Lily, the reigning Golden Slipper winner, as a red hot $1.70 favourite and she appeared to be cruising at the corner just behind the leaders.
But no sooner had the daughter of Stratum struck the lead, that Panipique, who had to overcome losing its running at the hands of the favourite, switched off her heels and came with a charge.
At the winning post Panipique ($11-$15) held a widening three quarter length margin over Crystal Lily ($1.70-$1.75-$1.70 fav).
They spaced the rest of the field, with third placegetter Enzed Girl ($11-$15) another four and a quarter lengths back. Second favourite Shaaheq ($5.50-$6.50) was fourth, a nose behind.
Winning trainer Peter Moody said the filly had come on well after a last start sixth behind Streetcar Magic in the listed Dermody Stakes in Adelaide a fortnight ago.
“She had no luck in Adelaide,” Moody said. “We had to go back from a wide gate and she hit the line really well.”
“She was much better suited today. Barriers are a big thing.”
“She’s got plenty of ability and we had a number of nice two-year-olds (last season) we can line up with Curtana.”
“This filly was able to work with her on Tuesday morning. And in fairness to this filly, she has always been able to.”
“That gave us a good feel until we saw a Golden Slipper winner in the field.”
“I think she’s done a damn good job. She had no luck in Adelaide at all and today she had to check and come around the second horse’s heels but was still able to nail her.”
“We had the run under our belt and that’s obviously held us in good stead,” Moody added.
“We’ve always thought she had the ability but early on she just lacked a little bit of physical strength.”
Panipique holds an entry for the Group One Thousand Guineas and she’s likely to have two more runs before that October feature.
“Mum was a ripper up the straight, so we’ll probably go to the Danehill (Stakes) and then back here for the Guineas Prelude.”
A daughter of leading Vinery Stud stallion Testa Rossa, Panipique is raced by her breeders, the Ramsey family.
They put her up for sale at the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale but took her home when bidding stopped $10,000 shy of her $250,000 reserve price.
As well as having already earned over $88,000 from just four runs, Panipique is a valuable broodmare prospect for Turangga Farm looking into the future.
Panipique is one of two named foals produced by the group winning Spinning World mare Our Quivira.
Also prepared by Moody, Our Quivira won twice at stakes level – in the Group Three Dermody Stakes in Adelaide and the listed Kensington Stakes at Flemington.
She in turn is a daughter of the stakes performed Umatilla mare Wichita and is therefore a full sister to the Toy Show Handicap winner Kishkat.
Further back it is also the family of the Group One winners Deck the Halls and Above Deck.
