Miss Three Stars wins 2016 Estar 119th Winter Cup Group 3 NZ$100,000 at Riccarton Park (NZ), 1600m.
The field jumped evenly although Miss Three Stars, from barrier 13, drifted in the early stages and had four or five behind her. Rounding the big Riccarton bend she was third last passing the 800m yet saving lots of ground on the inside of a fairly bunched field. Rider Samantha Wynne stayed close to the inside and upon straightening was travelling well down on the inner, gradually gaining on the leaders and finally grabbing the lead, in fine staying style, just short of the line to win narrowly but well.
Platinum Command settled third last (wide) and remained there around the bend and into the last corner. Widest starting the home run, she hauled in the leaders and took over at the 150m but was outgunned in the last few strides for a hard-fought second.
Taurus, under top weight of 60kg, was a handy fourth approaching the home straight and second into the straight, taking over at the 350m then holding on very well all the way to the post for a gallant third.
