MADAME SPARKS UP IN THE LAST

Recording her third win, Madame Le Fay (5 m Smart Missile – Lady Le Fay, by Thorn Park) sparked up with blinkers on in the $30,000 Gartshore Construction Rating 65 1600 metres on Saturday at Tauranga.

Having recorded a dominant second-up victory over 1560 metres in December at Rotorua, she recently ran home well after getting back from the outside gate (16) and in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 11 March at Pukekohe, and already course/distance placed at her only attempt she certainly appeared capable of proving competitive.

Ridden positively by Wiremu Pinn to lead off the rail, Madame Le Fay surged to a handy advantage on straightening and kept up a strong gallop to score by half a length.

On footing that remained Soft5 throughout the programme, she ran 1600 metres in 1:37.8, last 600m in 36.2, shortened in betting from fixed $10.00 & $3.30 to return $6.30 & $2.20 on the NZ TAB tote.

“Things didn’t quite go her way after she won in December, but ridden quietly last time probably helped her confidence and blinkers on today has done the trick,” said co-trainer Pam Gerard.

“Getting back like she did at Pukekohe is probably a far better way to ride her, but she got going a bit when Wiremu galloped her on Tuesday which could have been blinkers for the first time.

“The plan was to sit three wide with cover, but he used his initiative when she was travelling so easy and apart from being a bit green late it was never in too much doubt.

“Although she’s five and had 15 starts she can still be quite green and raw, so no reason why she won’t keep improving.

“We’re working with her brain, but she’s pretty happy now, just starting to really furnish, and we plan on getting her up to 2000 metres which has always been the goal.”

A big strapping mare by Todman Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) winning sire Smart Missile (Fastnet Rock), Madame Le Fay is out of a mare by Stradbroke Handicap (Gr. 1, 1400m) winning stallion Thorn Park (Spinning World).

Dam Lady Le Fay was a six time winner from 1400m – 2100 metres, including the Anzac Mile (Listed, 1600m), while also finishing runner-up in a Group Three and fourth at Group One level, both at Randwick.

Madame Le Fay was bred by Michael Hughes (Michael Hughes Bloodstock), who bought her dam Lady Le Fay as a yearling for $25,000, and owned by him and his parents Greg & Cheryl Hughes.

Accepting the spoils, Michael Hughes said: “Thank you to the sponsors Bill & Jim Gartshore who put a lot into the industry through breeding and racing, and also to the club at Racing Tauranga for presenting such a good track.

“Pam (Gerard), thank you and your team for all the hard work you do preparing these horses and it’s nice to get another win on board with her.”

Madame Le Fay was strapped by Dalpat Singh.