Honey Rider wins 2016 H.Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stks Group 3 NZ$70,000 at Hastings (NZ) 3yoFillies, 1200m.

From her handy draw (2) Honey Rider, under Michael Coleman, began well and took up the trail on the rail. She maintained her rails spot but found herself pocketed in fourth around the bend. Just before straightening, Coleman moved her off the fence and had a nice split to challenge, which she did although she took a few strides to level up to the pace. She then gradually took over with a big enough break to hold on over the final 50m to score fairly well.

Glass Slipper had just two behind her, locked up on the fence with 700m to run. She moved a little closer approaching the last corner but in traffic. She then had to pull wide into the straight and threaded her way between runners, gathering good momentum and letting down strongly over the last 150m to nab a solid second right on the line.

Mystery Show sat outside the winner around the bend and into the straight, was forced four wide and ran on determinedly to the post, just losing second one stride from the finish.

Favourite Volpe Veloce meanwhile injured herself in the stalls and was a late withdrawal.