Mini Mine Yet, a pony-sized New Zealand-bred mare, continued the great run of success of trainer Nathan Turvey and young driver Emily Suvaljko when she bounced back to top form by scoring a smart victory in the 2130m Support The McGrath Foundation Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Mini Mine Yet was a hot favourite at $1.50 from the prized No. 1 barrier after she had been unplaced at her previous four appearances from unfavourable barriers when she started at outside quotes of $26, $101, $91 and $51.
She was beaten for early speed by the $4.40 second fancy Rebel With A Grin, who was able to have an easy time in front with a slow lead time of 38.6sec. and a very slow opening quarter of 32.6sec.
Mini Mine Yet became hemmed in on the pegs in the final circuit when $11 chance Pierre Whitby moved to the breeze. However, Suvaljko did not panic and was able to ease the mare off the inside approaching the home turn before she finished fast to overhaul Rebel With A Grin in the final few strides.
“We weren’t really sure of her gate speed, and she got crossed tonight,” said Turvey. “I didn’t think that she would get clear, but Emily did a good job to get her off, and she won pretty easily.”
Turvey chose Mini Mine Yet after being impressed with her ability as he watched recordings of New Zealand races. “I picked her out and liked her, a little horse with a bit of speed,” he said. “She hasn’t been my best success story, but she was only cheap and will end up being good. I that in open races for mares she will be competitive.”
Mini Mine Yet, who is owned by Turvey in partnership with a syndicate of Narrogin people, Rick Shields, of Narrogin, and Melbourne resident Michael Hill, has had 19 starts in WA for three wins and five placings for an overall record of 41 starts for eight wins, 11 placings and $62,136.
She is by American sire A Rocknroll Dance and is the first foal out of New Zealand mare Seven Point One, who had 38 starts for six wins, five placings and $50,203.
Written by Ken Casellas | Photo Credit: Hamilton Content Creators