Powerful filly Miss Boudica, denied the chance of contesting the $350,000 Australian Pacing Gold National Final for three-year-old fillies at Melton on Saturday night because of the restrictions and problems surrounding the coronavirus pandemic in Victoria, proved her class with a devastating victory in the $51,000 Group 2 APG Consolation final at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Part owner and trainer Michael Brennan was justifiably proud of Miss Boudica’s performance in setting a scorching pace for Michael Grantham and careering away from her rivals to win by more than three lengths from Chance Eclipse, rating 1.54.3 over the 2130m journey.
“She would’ve given them a shake in the big race in Melbourne because she would have had to do nothing off the gate from the back line, and she is much better chasing,” said Brennan.
“I decided against taking Miss Boudica by plane to Victoria on Thursday, simply because of the risk. You would be putting too many people at risk, not only myself, my family, but the whole racing industry.
“She is a very good filly who was just one week short going into the WA Oaks early in April (when finishing third behind Benesari Lane and Always An Angel). I haven’t spoken to the owners yet, but my thoughts are that she should go straight to the paddock and then set her for the Victoria Oaks in October.
“I told Michael (Grantham) to put his foot on the accelerator tonight, and he drove her perfectly. She just runs and breaks their hearts. It was probably the best thing to happen to her that Chance Eclipse got to her approaching the home turn. She then kicked up and got going. She is inclined to switch off a little bit when on her own.”
Miss Boudica’s victory was tinged with sadness for Brennan, whose long-time friend Les Johnson died at the age of 75 near Wagga earlier in the week.
“Les bred Miss Boudica and he was a larger-than-life character I have known for 25 years,” said Brennan.
“Miss Boudica is the first pacer I have bought off Les, and she cost only $18,000. She was originally to be auctioned at the APG Melbourne yearling sale, but she cut a back leg and had to be withdrawn. She then was a supplementary entry for the Sydney sale and wasn’t in the catalogue.
“I had her pencilled in when I went to the Melbourne sale, and when I went to the Sydney sale there were only two of us bidding for her.”
Miss Boudica gives every indication of improving after her first eleven starts have produced five wins and five placings for stakes of $55,850. She is a half-sister to eight winners, including Bettor Rock On, who had 208 starts for 40 wins, 64 placings and stakes of $442,173.
Bettor Rock On’s final 11 Australian starts were in Western Australia for trainer David Thompson for one win and four placings before he was sold to race in America.
by Ken Casellas