Thurlow wins 2014 Santa’s Magical Kingdom Stakes Listed $120,000 at Sandown-Hillside (VIC) 2yo, 1000m.
Thurlow followed up promising second on debut at Flemington on 4 November with a narrow but impressive win. She began well but was shuffled back to be sixth between runners. Craig Williams steered her through a split at the 400m, she challenged strongly nearing the 100m and then fought gamely to score in the last stride. She is a very promising filly.
Miss Gidget impressed running a bold race here on debut. She travelled nicely outside the leader, went to the front at the 300m and then fought on particularly well, only being caught right on the post for a very good second.
Mesa began well, settled one out and one back before moving up to challenge at the 400m. He then continued to fight on in good style to finish a close third, also putting up a most promising effort on debut. Hell Or Highwater was a bit slow to move, improved from her good barrier (4) to be fifth between runners and fought on nicely for an encouraging fourth also on debut. The Peter Moody-trained colt Exacting ran on nicely from tenth at the turn to finish fifth, also going well at this first start.
