TESTA Rossa filly Panipique earned herself a trip across the border to contest the Group One Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide later this month after winning today’s VRC Listed MSS Security Stakes (1100m) at Flemington.
The Peter Moody-trained chestnut was expertly handled by ace Kiwi hoop Michael Walker who tracked the speed before unleashing a powerful burst of acceleration that allowed her to power away to record an emphatic 1.5-lens win in good company.
Panipique clearly appreciated the drop back to Listed company and her own age after finishing ninth last start in the Group One MRC Oakleigh Plate (1100m) beaten just 3.2-lens by Eagle Falls and co.
“Her run in the Oakleigh Plate was phenomenal,” Moody said.
“It was just a tragedy that she drew the outside that day.”
Panipique, who races in the familiar colours of popular owner/breeder Stuart Ramsey is set on a collision course with Mick Price’s outstanding Dubleo mare, Dubleanny who is also headed to Adelaide for the Robert Sangster Stakes.
Testa Rossa colt Red Flair went within a long neck of securing Testa Rossa a Stakes double on the day when narrowly defeated in the Listed Tab First4 Stakes. It would have brought up a Stakes double for the Ellerton/Zahra trained 5yo which had won the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield at her previous start.
