A wonderful win by Mission of Love in the Listed WISHLIST CALOUNDRA CUP HANDICAP over 2400m yesterday, where she achieved elusive black type and announced herself as a high-class staying mare.
Ridden by Angela Jones, who has beautifully transitioned from champion apprentice to fully fledged senior rider, the 4yo mare settled a little further back than planned towards the rear, whilst her older, more experienced rivals charged early for position through the heavy 9 conditions.
Trainer Sheila Laxon and Angela had planned pre-race to try and optimise the weight advantage she had, by saving as much ground as possible without getting too bogged down nearer the inside rail, and then sprinting to give them something to chase.
That plan came to fruition as the mare made significant ground between the 600-400m to hit the lead without too much exertion as other horses fanned wide, before bravely sprinting down the long Sunshine Coast straight, holding off the gallant Brisbane Cup winner, Alegron.
Angela said “I had to give half a length to get back to the rail, but it meant I could save four or five lengths probably”.
Terrific scenes followed with a great contingent of Symons Laxon Racing friends on course to celebrate the victory.
The mare, and favoured stablemate Knight’s Choice, who ran a brave race under a big weight with his wheels spinning in the wet, will head for a brief spell at Golden Gully, whilst Sheila and John Symons decide upon a spring program in Melbourne. John said “I don’t know which races or what we are going to do, but we will get them down there and see where we end up”.
Sheila herself will head off on Melbourne Cup Tour duties to Katherine and Brunette Downs in the Northern Territory this week, with yet another Cup win fresh on her CV.
Congratulations to all concerned!
