Miss Splendamiro recorded the second fastest time ever seen at Kennerson Park to win Friday night’s Bathurst Gold Cup.
The Hank Vanderburg-trained Miss Splendamiro ($2.10 favourite) diced with Kilkee May in the opening half of the $18,000 feature race but once the Barcia Bale bitch hit the front she was never going to be caught.
Miss Splendamiro finished the 520-metre race in a time of 29.40 seconds to beat Ferrero Miss ($12.10, 4m) and Kilkee May ($33, 4.25m). Co-owners Mick Phillips, Rod Yendle and David Blench have enjoyed a remarkable run of success with their champion runner, who has now won 14 of her 25 starts.
“It’s one of the best fields I’ve ever seen assembled at Bathurst. It was an outstanding effort. She’s a super bitch. We’re off now to the Group 1 Richmond Oaks next Friday,” Phillips said.
“She pushed up really hard with a lot of grit and determination. To hook out up the back and go past a very smart local bitch was a great thrill.
“David and I bred her. Rod’s been out of dogs for about 10 years but he’s come back into the sport. I’ve known Hank for 20-plus years. When we asked would he rear her and train her he welcomed us with open arms.
“The rest is history. She’s given us 14 wins now. We couldn’t ask for anything more from her. She’s given us a great journey.”
Three runners ran past the winning post for the first time huddled close together – Miss Splendamiro, Kilkee May and She’s Grand.
Box eight starter She’s Grand couldn’t match the pace on the opening turn while Miss Splendamiro and Kilkee May started to dash away.
Miss Splendamiro worked her way around Kilkee May on the turn for home and Ferrero Miss wasn’t far away in third. Vanderburg’s champion bitch was a class above, extending the winning break over the final 100m to give her the perfect lead in for her upcoming Group 1 challenge.
Ferrero Miss pipped Kilkee May for third. The biggest surprise in Friday’s race was track record holder Falcon’s Fury ($3.10) finishing last, following an average start from box six.
* this article originally appeared in the Western Advocate - photo credit: Alexander Grant
