HAWKESBURY trainer Wanda Ings only followed instructions to “do everything she can” with Fetes Alfresco and the move paid dividends in Mudgee on Saturday.
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The eight-year-old bay mare will leave Ings’ stable for the breeding season but showed her class to win the 2000-metre Impact Mining Equipment Benchmark 60 Handicap by half a length.
Fetes Alfresco ($10, Catherine Markwort) held off Supreme Laird ($5, Jeff Kehoe) in a two-way run to the line.
Ings said it had been an interesting couple of months for the mare.
“We were at the tried sales and my owner wanted a broodmare so with that I bought her,” Ings said. “ I didn’t win with her but she placed in town [Sydney] a lot and we sent her to Melbourne.
“We haven’t done a lot with her as we’ve only had her back for a couple of weeks. My owner said, ‘Do what you can with her because we’ve only got her until breeding season’. I said I’d take her to a nicer race.
“We were taking her to Muswellbrook and then the heavens opened and she loves the sting out of the track. This has just played into her hands.
“Catherine rode her absolutely magic. She’s a real casual mare. Catherine had her on the pace without doing too much and when they slackened off I told Catherine that’s when to put it on them and she did. She’s a lovely little rider.”
The Mudgee win was the mare’s fourth career victory in 67 starts and took her prizemoney to over $100,000.
The Brett Thompson-trained Valley of Tears ($5, Beany Panya) ran third over the 2000 metres and finished two lengths back from Fetes Alfresco. The $2.20 favourite, All That Excites, finished fourth and more than three lengths behind Valley of Tears.
Saturday’s six-race TAB meeting featured another Hawkesbury winner in Sally Sourapple (Club Mudgee Maiden Handicap, 1000m).
The $3.20 favourite was a convincing winner by two-and-half-lengths over Zizousa ($5, Adam Gain).
Trainer Jason Attard said it was an easy ride for jockey Kevin May.
“I was expecting it but we’re still pleased,” Attard said.
“I got her as an older horse, she was sacked with all her issues and I gave her a go. I had another horse here for another race and thought I’d take her away for some easier competition.”