Mae proves no black-type Jinx

Talented mare Mae Jinx earned herself valuable black type with a gutsy all the way victory in the Listed Eclipse (Berkley Stud) Stakes at Wingatui on Boxing Day.

Showing good pace from an inside gate, the six-year-old did a good job to hold the lead in a fast run race and an even better job to give a nice kick at the top of the straight - defying all-comers in the run home.

Jockey Lee Callaway admitted that he thought the mare was going a little too fast during the run.

"I was a little bit worried when there was a lot of pace on," he said.

"I rated her as much as I could without fighting her and I tried to kick on the turn - I had a horse on my girth and ended up still fighting hard to the line."

Mae Jinx was bred and is raced by Rich Hill Stud's Alan Galbraith who picked out the race for his mare.

"He suggested the race to us," Chad Ormsby said of Ballymore's long time supporter, "and we had the time to get her down there."

"Alan is a breeder and it's important for race mares like her to get black type before they go to stud - so it couldn't have worked out better."

Whilst Mae Jinx's lead-up form did not look outstanding, Ormsby had expected a bold showing - "her first up run was disappointing," he admitted, "but her second up run was a lot better than it looks on paper."

Stripping all the fitter third up, Mae Jinx recorded the sixth win of her 26 start career.

A daughter of Stravinsky (pictured), Mae Jinx is a half sister to the Melbourne based multiple city winner Pergola out of Gondolin - a Zabeel half sister to the Listed winner Prosecution.

An exciting broodmare prospect, Mae Jinx can boast amongst her relations the champion stallions Storm Cat and Royal Academy.

Mae Jinx was a lovely Christmas present for the stable and hopefully we can see out 2012 with another win with the promising Rhythm To Spare set to make his debut at Ellerslie on Saturday.

A well regarded son of Pins and the Gr.1 placed Zabeel mare Stanica, Rhythm To Spare will be better over longer trips than the 1200m of the Stella Artois but he is expected to run well.

"He looks to be in with a show," Ormsby said, adding that Rhythm To Space "all going well is one of our Derby chances."

We have just the one other runner this weekend, Post Xcellence stepping up to 1800m at Taupo.

"He does have to show some improvement," Ormsby admitted, "but we will be positive with him in the run to give him every chance."