Highly rated three-year-old filly American Beauty made a winning return at Globe Derby Park on
Saturday.
The former New Zealand pacer, unbackable as $1.20 favourite, led throughout from barrier two to
win the Australian Drivers Championship September 17 Pace (1800m).
Purchased from New Zealand late last year, American Beauty made her debut for her new owners
and trainer Aaron Bain at Globe Derby Park on January 29.
Sent out a $1.40 favourite, the filly led but faded over the final 300 metres to finish last in a field of
five.
“I have to admit I was shattered after the run,” trainer Aaron Bain said.
“But a post-race inspection revealed she had jarred up and her knees hadn’t completely set.
“So we decided to send her out to my father’s farm and just let her roam free for a few months and
she loved it.
“We’ve been careful bringing her along this preparation, but she has done everything in great order.
“When you purchase a horse for a reasonable money, there is an expectation it will be a good
winner.
“Even though she had trialled nicely and was working well, it was still a relief to see her do it
tonight.”
Driver Wayne Hill drove a perfect front-running race, steadily improving her quarters of the last 1600
metres.
After a comfortable 31.8 second first quarter of the last mile, the filly ran 30.4 and 30.0 seconds
before lengthening in the run home with a smart 28.2 seconds for an overall mile rate of 1:59.4.
Bain said he was very happy with her final quarter running strongly through the line without really
been asked to extend.
“When we bought American Beauty, we also purchased the filly, now running in Perth as Im
Themightylucy.
“We had really high hopes for both of them and were able to secure a group of owners who are in
both fillies.
“They both failed first up and I started to feel a bit of pressure.
“We sent “Lucy” to Michael Young in Perth, and she has won four of her five starts there and looks
to have a chance in the Western Australian Oaks later in the year.
“Now we have American Beauty in winning form. She is likely to run again for the next few weeks
and if she continues to improve will consider the Victoria Oaks at Melton in October.”
