Miss Mossman Surprises in New Zealand Oaks
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Trainer John Sargeant enjoyed a second Oaks victory this season when his lightly regarded Miss Mossman romped to a convincing 3 1/2-length victory in the New Zealand Oaks (NZ-I) at Trentham March 15.
The daughter of Vinery stallion Mossman avenged a runner-up finish to Miss Selby in the March 1 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (Aus-III) at Hastings. Miss Selby finished second as the 8-5 favorite in the New Zealand Oaks.
Johnathan Parkes piloted RBC Racing's Miss Mossman, who was timed in 2:27.78 for 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) on good turf.
Miss Mossman settled fifth behind early pacesetter Include, who quickly opened a 10-length lead and held the advantage until the field caught up nearing the home turn. Parkes rode his mount to challenge from there and she grabbed command 400 meters out, cruising to the clear win.
Rock Diva finished a distant third in the 14-filly field.
"We were always confident this filly would stay; she's finished off her races well and she got carted out wide in the Lowland Stakes," Sargeant told www.breednet.com.au about Miss Mossman, who improved her career line to 3-2-2 from 19 starts.
Australia-based Sargeant, who trains Miss Mossman with Hayden Allen, enjoyed another Oaks win earlier this season, when capturing the VRC Oaks (Aus-I) at Flemington with Kirramosa Nov. 7.
Miss Mossman was bred in New Zealand by Gerry Harvey. She is out of the winning Danehill mare Dane Promise and from the family of 1995 Australian Derby (Aus-I) winner Ivory's Irish. Sargeant bought her for $25,000 ($20,653 in United States funds) at the New Zealand Bloodstock select yearling sale at Karaka. Westbury Stud consigned as agent.