Speedy Filly Flies to Deserved Black-Type Success

After two close fourths in stakes company, including a big performance in the $1m DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m), Ulanova (NZ) (Santos) blew her rivals away at New Plymouth on Saturday to claim her first blacktype win in the $85,000 Group Three Platinum Homes Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m).

Ulanova was bought by Mick Wallace for $150,000 from the Book 1 draft of Kilgravin Lodge at Karaka 2022. The slick filly has now had four starts for two wins and two fourths, banking $113,125 in stakes.

A brilliant all-the-way winner on debut at Te Rapa in late October, Ulanova adopted similar front-running tactics en route to her fourth placings in the Group Two Eclipse Stakes (1200m) and the Karaka Million 2YO. The latter was particularly notable, throwing down the gauntlet to her rivals and only being passed inside the final 50 metres of the high-octane juvenile feature.

This time she never looked like being caught, dominating the race from the front and putting her opponents to the sword in the straight. With Craig Grylls in the saddle, Ulanova powered to victory by six and three-quarter lengths.

“We jumped, found the lead and got it reasonably soft,” Grylls said. “Talking to Stephen (Marsh, trainer) before the race, I said I would try and cuddle her up for as long as possible, and she has kicked away. It was pretty easy in the end.

“She was strong right through the line. I think she is a pretty fair animal who we will see a lot more of.”

Rhys Mildon, who is stable foreman for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, was delighted with Saturday’s performance.

“It was really good to see her run the 1200 metres right out, and that gives us hope for the future,” he said. “She got a little hot today, so it will be up to Stephen to decide where she goes next after we see how she comes through this.”

Runner-up Lantern Way (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) was bought for $40,000 from Book 2 of Karaka 2022. Saturday’s second placing came from only his second career start.

The third-placed She Turns Heads (Headwater) – who was a close sixth in the Karaka Million 2YO – was selected by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis from Book 1 of Karaka 2022 and cost $170,000.