Classy filly Samovare underlined star qualities when she powered to a dominant win in the $200,000 Group 3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) at Ascot yesterday.
Aided by a positive ride from Brad Parnham, who settled fourth from a wide gate, Samovare scored from an unlucky Ellicazoom, the second favourite closing late after meeting interference 200m from the start.
One length separated Ellicazoom and Samovare with I Am Boudica a further 3 ½ lengths back.
Samovare gave trainer, Dan Morton his first victory in the Champion Fillies Stakes, joining his father, Len Morton, on the race’s honour roll who prepared Surfside Lady (1988), Zabanella (1994), Mercurial Madam (1996) and Ellendale (2000).
“She is a classic filly and I wasn’t joking when I said before that I have never put a saddle on a nicer filly,” Dan Morton said.
“Once she lobbed into the spot where she was I thought geez she is going to take a lot of beating.
“She is a really nice filly who is still very raw.”
Morton said he would let the dust the settle on Samovare’s maiden stakes victory before deciding whether to butter up against the boys in next week’s Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) or tackle the Group One Kingston Town Classic (1800m) a fortnight later.
“I will have a discussion with the owners over a few red wines in the next few days no doubt,” Morton said.
An emotional Parnham, who dashed Samovare to lead inside the final 200m, and held out Ellicazoom, a filly trained by his father Neville Parnham and ridden by his brother, Steven, said the win was overdue.
“This win means more than I can probably tell you,” Parnham said.
“It’s a race that I have wanted to win and I’m proud to have done it.
“I think she is really a good horse.
“I know this may sound silly but she is at least a preparation from being at her best or maybe even two preparations away.”
Samovare, heavily backed from $7.50 into $5, improved her record to two wins and two placings from five starts with prizemoney of $165,400.
She gave part owner Peter Walsh from Amelia Park Racing the first leg of a feature double after Tonto proved too strong over the final stages of the Listed Ascot Gold Cup (1800m).
Julio Santarelli