Tina Melina wins 2016 Nudgee Hcp Listed $100,000 at Doomben (QLD) Fillies & Mares, 1200m.
Consistent Tony Gollan-trained mare Tina Melina took her record to six wins from 15 starts in scoring her first stakes win here. She was slowly away from her inside barrier (1) was near last early but improved along the rails to settle in seventh place. She switched between runners nearing the home turn, was fourth on straightening, sprinted quickly to challenge at the 100m and then fought gamely to score a really good win in a photo finish.
Sheiswhatsheis, a stablemate of the winner, was smartly away from her wide barrier (12), quickly crossed to the lead and ran along at a solid tempo (first 600m 34.96). She still had a clear break at the 200m and battled strongly for second, beaten only a halfhead.
Miss Cover Girl went back from barrier nine and settled near last on the rails. She stuck to the inner rounding the home turn, switched out to be fifth at the 200m and kept making ground to take a good third.
The James Cummings-trained mare The Special Two settled in last place from her outside barrier (13) and remained there until approaching the home turn. She went widest of all from the 300m and made a lot of late ground for (3.9 lengths) fourth in a very promising first-up performance.
