The Graeme McCulloch-trained Frolicked skips to the line for jockey Shannon Brazil at Mowbray last night.
WELL-BRED filly Frolicked capped a big day for Whitemore trainer and breeder Graeme McCulloch when she made a winning debut in the Magic Millions 2YO Maiden at Mowbray last night.
Earlier in the day, McCulloch sold a colt by Holy Roman Emperor for $140,000 at the New Zealand yearling sales.
Both results could not have come at a better time, as McCulloch has a full sister to Frolicked in next month's Launceston sale and he will also be offering five yearlings by Holy Roman Emperor.
Frolicked, ridden by Shannon Brazil, raced outside hot favourite Vigilante and, after getting the better of that horse early in the home straight, held out late challenges from Stuart Gandy-trained stablemates Geegees Soprano and Geegees Firstword.
To add to the occasion for McCulloch, Frolicked is the first winner for his stallion Incumbent.
``He's had about six seconds but hasn't been able to crack it until now,'' the trainer said.
``His oldest progeny are three but his second and third crops were by far his best so I think we'll start to see the best of him from now on.''
Frolicked is out of former 3YO Cup winner Flying Diva who has also produced handy stayer Uboa and Kenjorwood who will be one of the favourites for Sunday's $100,000 Tasmanian Derby.
The colt that McCulloch sold in New Zealand is out of Centrefit and is a half brother to Wellington Cup winner Young Centaur.
First again
IT TOOK Gee Gees Firstover until she was six years old to win a race - last night she made it two in a month.
The John Luttrell-trained mare followed up a win at Longford on New Year's Day with a fast-finishing win over Guru Rez and Sugar Gum in the Lobsters & Legends Class 1 Handicap.
Luttrell said the long wait for a win was not due to any lack of ability.
``She's got a lot of ability but she's kept going amiss,'' the trainer said.
``At her first start (in March 2010), she ran third to the good mare Glamour Legs in Hobart from the extreme outside barrier but hurt herself and didn't race again for seven months.
``When we brought her back, she ran fourth first-up at Devonport but then bowed a tendon.''
Gee Gees Firstover returned for another couple of preparations and, although she ran some good races, couldn't win and owner Paul Geard had her earmarked for retirement.
``She was going to stud last season but we decided to give her one last try,'' Luttrell said.
``She had another long spell and has come back as sound as a bell.''
`Kate' reigns
WELL-NAMED mare Miss Middleton made an impressive return from a spell and landed some good bets in the Fashion For Fillies Maiden Plate.
The four-year-old is out of a mare called Royal Celebrity and, needless to say, her stable name is `Kate'.
Backed into $1.90, she was always well placed by Anthony Darmanin and finished strongly to beat His Royal Tea and Liluka Belle.
It was only Miss Middleton's second start as, according to trainer Barry Campbell, she's been a slow maturer.
``She ran a good second at Devonport last September and I would have given her another run then but her owners (Woodlawn Park Stud) wanted to turn her out,'' Campbell said.
``I can't argue now because since she's been back her work and trials have all been good.
``I think she's got a future - long term she will be OK - but she'll probably have only a couple more runs this preparation.''
McCoull out
A BOUT of `gastro' sidelined top jockey Brendon McCoull last night and cost him an early winner.
Group 1-winning Victorian jockey Michelle Payne took over on Cerise Sauvage who broke a run of four successive minor placings when she overhauled tearaway leader Nitro Qui in the Cup Cocktail Party Maiden.
It was Payne's first winner since returning from serious injury.