Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
Leica Lucy (Derryn) displayed exactly why she is the overwhelming favourite for the upcoming $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand Oaks (2400m) with a fourth-straight Group victory in Sunday’s Gr.2 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes (2100m).
An unstoppable force out of the Central Districts, Leica Lucy was a winner on debut and Robbie Patterson, who trains her out of New Plymouth, stamped her as an Oaks filly from that moment forward. After a narrow second to Wingman at the following start, Leica Lucy has not been beaten since, dominating her way through the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m), Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and Gr.2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m).
There was little doubt from punters that she would continuing her winning stampede in the Oaks dress rehearsal, shortening from an opening quote of $1.50 into $1.22, with her closest rival Connello closing at $10.
After getting on-toe in the parade, Leica Lucy was a consummate professional at the barriers and jumped away positively, with regular rider Craig Grylls holding his position on the inside to land on the rail trailing the leader in Prestissimo.
A moderate tempo quickened as the field neared the home turn and Leica Lucy was travelling like the winner a long way out, and when Grylls let her go at the 250m, it was game over, the filly charging clear to score by an extending 3 – ½ lengths to an honest Myakkabelle.
Other meritorious runs with the upcoming Oaks in consideration came from third and fourth placegetters Dubai Gold and Thrilling.
Grylls had already steered home One Bold Gigolo for Patterson earlier in the meeting, and when it comes to Leica Lucy, he has the upmost praise for the filly.
“I didn’t have to use her as such (at the start), but just dig to hold my spot because they were going to rush around,” he said.
“As you’ve seen before the race, she got quite worked up today, but as soon as she jumped out of the barriers, she comes straight back to you and switches off. I was able to get off (the rail) and she’s improving all the time, that was even better than last time.
“She does it without really being asked too, I was pretty soft on her but she just loves it and runs through the line.”
While Patterson has trained the likes of Coventina Bay, Puntura and One Bold Cat to top-flight victories in recent years, he holds Leica Lucy in the highest regard as the best horse to come out of his successful operation.
“She’s not even screwed down yet, she’s an unbelievable horse and I’ve never had one like it,” he said.
“I think she’ll be screwed down in three weeks’ time, that’s been the goal since the day she won her first start and I’m looking forward to that.
“We all know she’s going to Chris Waller’s, and you know what, Caulfield Cup maybe next year, or the Queensland Oaks this year, she is the real deal.”
The Oaks will be Leica Lucy’s final appearance for Patterson before she heads across the Tasman to join the Waller powerhouse, with the million-dollar feature being run back on the champagne turf on March 22.
“I can’t plod her along, I’ve purposely left her a little bit fresh and I know I can’t leave her too fresh, because you can’t win an Oaks behaving like that,” Patterson said.
“I’ll tighten up the screws a little bit on her, but even if I stuff up, she makes up for it on her ability.”
Sunday’s success increased Leica Lucy’s earnings to just shy of $440,000, with five wins and a second placing from six starts. Her first four appearances were representing owner-breeders Heather and Peter Crofskey, before prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir purchased a share in the daughter of Derryn.
