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“It was exciting, she just won so easily — in a canter.’’
They were jockey Kathy O’Hara’s first words after Madam Rouge thrashed her rivals in the Listed $150,000 Christmas Classic (1200m) at Royal Randwick.
The race wasn’t presented to Madam Rouge, either, as she endured a tough run, three-wide without cover, yet totally outclassed her rivals with a runaway win.
“She won with authority,’’ O’Hara said. “We got ‘posted’ a bit, she had no luck from the barrier but she let down with real gusto at the top of the straight.
“I didn’t really ask that much of her but she topped the rise and really let go.
“I haven’t had a win that easily in a long time.’’
Madam Rouge ($5), ridden hands and heels by O’Hara, made a mess of her rivals to score by 1¼ lengths. Glenall ($7) was held up for a few strides at the top of the straight before working home strongly for second, a long neck in front of Albumin ($17).
Trainer Chris Waller confirmed Madam Rouge and Invincibella, who ran on from last on the turn to finish an eye-catching sixth, will meet again in the $1 million Magic Millions Fillies and Mares (1300m) on the Gold Coast in a fortnight.
“It was a good ride by Kathy,’’ Waller said.
“I told her if you get caught three-wide from the awkward barrier, ‘don’t panic, just sit nice and tight’.
“She had Madam Rouge travelling nicely which was the key.’’
Waller said Madam Rouge has gone to a new level this season, winning the Group 3 The Nivison and finishing a good fourth in the Silver Eagle in the spring.
“If you go back through her form this preparation, she has been a different horse,’’ Waller said.
“Even last start in the Hot Danish Stakes, she was desperately unlucky.
“I think there is a good race in her and she will go to the Magic Millions in two weeks.
“She will get her chance in the autumn as well.’’
Invincibella has won the past two Magic Millions Fillies and Mares and showed she is on track for a hat-trick.
“She is ready to go,’’ Waller said. – The Daily Telegraph.