Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Last-start winner Extraordinary Mary was in an irascible mood when she refused to face the barrier in the standing-start Smooth FM Perth On Digital Radio Handicap at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
This delayed the start, and the official starter punished the four-year-old mare for her poor behaviour by ordering her to move from the No. 4 barrier and to start from the outside on the front line of six runners.
She then was on her best behaviour and began smoothly, settling in fourth position in the breeze before Kyle Harper sent her to the front after 650m and then opting to take a trail behind the $3.20 second favourite Carana 200m later, with the $1.85 favourite Lusaka settling down well back in ninth position.
Harper eased Extraordinary Mary off the pegs 450m from home and the mare finished with a spirited burst to get to the front 60m from the post and go on and win by a half-length from Carana.
Extraordinary Mary, trained by Jemma Hayman, has been a successful standing-start performer, having made 20 appearances in stands for six wins, six seconds and one third placing.
She was purchased by Hayman for $10,000 at the 2020 Perth APG yearling sale, and now boasts a splendid record of 49 starts for nine wins, 17 placings and $129,742 for Hayman and four stable clients.
“Another horse was playing up and we had to circle again,” said Harper as he explained Extraordinary Mary’s misdemeanour. “Then she had a bee in her bonnet and wanted to go sideways.
“Going to the outside probably suited us. She was quite comfortable out there and behaved herself. We got to the front after doing a little bit more work than anticipated, so I was happy to take the sit on Carana.
“Extraordinary Mary travelled well and after I got her out at about the 500m she sustained a strong run. Usually, about 400m is her limit, but tonight she stuck it out really well. I think there are more wins in store for her.”