The familiar combination of trainer Robbie Patterson and jockey Craig Grylls continued their outstanding success rate in stakes races when promising filly Leica Lucy took out the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.
The daughter of Grangewilliam Stud-based stallion Derryn had impressed when winning on debut at New Plymouth last month before being narrowly beaten over 1400m at Trentham a fortnight ago.
Relishing the step up in distance to 1600m on Saturday, Leica Lucy settled sweetly in midfield for Grylls as pacemaker Vanish set up a strong tempo at the head of affairs.
Grylls got busy rounding the home bend as he brought Leica Lucy to the middle of the track where she burst to the front at the 300m and cleared out from her rivals to win by three lengths from Connello and Skymax.
Patterson was confident before the race he had a smart stayer in the making on his hands and the winning run did nothing to dampen that enthusiasm as he sets her for the $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) in March.
"I knew she had that in her but until they do it you can't get too confident," Patterson said.
"It's great for Peter and Heather Crofsky (owners)who put a lot into the game and are great friends of mine.
"She was off the bit all the way and went through a flat patch at the 600m, but she is an out and out stayer and I just have to work back from the Oaks and go from there.
"She will have ten days in the paddock now then come back for the Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) and then to the Oaks."
Grylls was succinct in his summary of how the race had panned out for the pair.
"What she has done in her first two starts, she indicated a trip was going to suit her," he said.
"With the mile (1600m) today she was actually quite relaxed and switched off but when I clicked her up she came up underneath me and while she did a couple of things wrong, she has got the ability there.
"She is very progressive."
Bred and raced by the Crofskeys from their Sir Percy mare Dynamite Lucy, Leica Lucy comes from an extended family that includes dual Group One winner Elevenses.
She now sits as a $12 chance in the TAB Fixed Odds market for the New Zealand Oaks which is headed up by Hinekaha at $8.
