Debut filly Claymore Mine took early honours on Mornington Cup day with a win in the Mornington Sires (1200m) to continue a remarkable record for her dam Cresta Condor.
Claymore Mine, who pounced late for rider Jye McNeil and local trainer Pat Carey to claim the opening event, is the third foal out of Cresta Condor with all three winning at generous odds at their first start.
“They won on debut. and she has kept that going – it’s fantastic,” a delighted Carey said after the race.
“She’s a lovely filly, quite a bit stronger than the family in body weight, and is a little more advanced than them and got to the races a bit earlier.
“It’s good for Victorian racing. She was the only Super VOBIS horse in the race by Rich Enuff and he seems to be going fantastic for a stallion who is well-placed in the budget of most breeders.”
The oldest progeny out of Cresta Condor is Crestani (by Nicconi), with the five-year-old winning at his debut at Mornington in August of 2020 at odds of $31, while Clarity (by So You Think) made her debut earlier this season at The Valley, where she saluted at $19.
Claymore Mine outdid her older siblings by making it to the races as a two-year-old after showing her trainer a deal of promise in her jump-outs.
Starting at $11, Claymore Mine finished strongly from midfield to win by three-quarters of a length over Chilled ($3.20 fav), with $14 chance Le Zebra a further half-length away third.
McNeil was taken with his first sit on the filly.
“She was very professional,” he said. “It’s the first time I’ve ridden her and she jumped brilliantly from the gates.
“I was thinking pre-race I would have to go back at the start, but I was lucky enough to find a position. I was able to steady her up around the bend and she made a good run at them.”
Cresta Condor, who was raced and is owned by Steve Watkins, was a handy galloper herself winning four races from 29 starts. She currently has a Nicconi filly at foot.
*Article courtesy of Racing.com
