GLADIATRIX winning at Club Menangle
WAYWARD youngster Gladiatrix registered an overdue Group One triumph at Club Menangle just moments ago.
Widely-regarded among the best of her crop, Gladiatrix has previously been favourite in two top shelf events only to miss the placings due to her erratic manners.
On her best behaviour this time around, the Dean and Kerry McDowell-trained filly captured the New South Wales Trotters’ Oaks.
Gladiatrix’s success also doubled as driver Lleyton Green’s initial Group One victory.
“We were pretty heartbroken about her making mistakes as a two-year-old in the Group Ones down in Melbourne,” Green said. “She has come back as a three-year-old and has just been an absolute professional.
“She’s finally got it all together tonight and got that Group One.
“To get my first Group One is truly amazing and feels like a big monkey off my back as I have run many placings, so to get that first won is something special.”
Beginning well from barrier 11, Gladiatrix was sent forward to be settled two-back in the running line as Adelaide Red led from gate four.
Angled into the middle of the track at the top of the home straight, Gladiatrix unleashed a strong sprint to reach the front in the last stride, scoring by a neck from Jilliby Aura, with Aldebaran Ada a metre away third.
“She’s got brilliant speed, and always has from day one, but I reckon that’s the first time we’ve driven her for one sprint,” Green said. “She usually rolls forward and works to the front.
“Tonight being driven for one run was always going to be a good thing for her and it worked out perfectly.”
By 2020 New South Wales Derby winner Elite Stride, Gladiatrix’s grand dam Frozen Funds won the 2002 Oaks.
Bred and owned by the McDowells, Gladiatrix rated 1:59 over 2300 metres to take her record to seven wins and four seconds from 15 starts for earnings of $115,577.
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