Trainer Margot Nyhan is now considering starting Fly The Flag against the colts and geldings in the $300,000 Yearling Sales Open Pace at Addington tomorrow week.
"The Addington race is a bit of a long shot but each horse gets something for going around," Peter Davis, Nyhan's partner, said.
Nyhan and Davis bought the Falcon Seelster-Jubilee Franco filly mainly because she was related to The Gigolo, the winner of 12 races from their West Melton stable.
The Gigolo is back in work after being sidelined with a suspensory ligament problem. He has not raced since March 2008.
Ohoka breeders Bruce Taylor (a veterinarian) and his wife, Marge, retained a third share in Fly The Flag. Kirwen Holdings, comprising Lynn and Christine Crozier and Kirk and Wendy Dew, all of Christchurch, also came into the ownership to race the filly.
• Lionel's Meddle sped over 2200m (mobile) in 2.39.9 (a 1.56.9 mile rate) to lower the track record by 1.2sec. He led and ran his last 800m in 57 and 400m in 27.2.
His time compares with the New Zealand record of 2.38.2 set by Bogan Fella in 1999.
"I have always rated the horse but his form fell away after he had a fall in a race," John Dunn, his driver, said.
"Uncle Geoff deserves a lot of credit for the work he has done on the horse's back."
His time bettered the 2.41.1 set by former stablemate Eric's Legend in October.
Lionel's Meddle is trained by Robert Dunn for mother and son Una and Warwick Sparks, of Ashburton.
The 3yr-old Howard Bromac also ran 2.41.1 at Forbury Park in 2003.
The favourite, Octavian, dropped out to third last after racing handy in the open.
• The Setarip syndicate, the oldest syndicate in New Zealand, won last night with Oldgoldnblack.
"I think the syndicate is about 40 years old, but I am only a newcomer, being in it for five years," Bruce Campbell, of Invercargill, said.
Oldgoldnblack is trained by Clark Barron, whose father, Ron, is also training for the syndicate.
• Owners Bruce Stirling, of Clydevale, and Jimmy Gin, of Oamaru, took their tally to 11 wins for the season when Blackleugh was successful. Blackleugh has won twice.
Other winners for Messrs Stirling and Gin are Elmer Fudd (six), Silver Ranger (two) and Isinbayeva.
• Aleana had her second win in five starts since joining the Riverton stable of Hollon Crackett.
She led over the last 1800m and lasted by a long neck.
West Melton owner Murray Darnill sent Aleana to Crackett after she had been off the winning list for three years.
"I knew Murray when I lived at Riverton and knew he didn't have a horse in work. I think the one-man approach and the beach have done the trick," Darnill said.
Aleana had her other win when trained at West Melton by Ray Jenkins, who drove her last night. Jenkins drove her dam, Little Miss Watch, to win at Gore in 1992 from the stable of Henry Skinner.
