Canterbury filly Gemma Mac showed she was on track for her big race assignments when breaking the Wyndham track record yesterday.
The Cran Dalgety-trained pacer set a mark for 2yr-old fillies in pacing a 1.55.4 mile to beat her own age and sex. The 3yr-old was having just her second start after running second on debut behind Major Sass at the same track on Thursday.The Paul Court-trained Major Sass won again yesterday to remain unbeaten in two starts.
Dalgety sent Gemma Mac south with the hope the trip would bring her on so that she could compete in coming fillies features.
It looks to have worked.
"I wasn’t expecting her to go that fast, but obviously, we are rapt with her effort to do that.
"With the two meetings on the Thursday and the Sunday it was a good chance for her to get some experience against her own sex, so it worked out really well."
Gemma Mac is one of three fillies Dalgety has stepped out this season.
Woman In Gold finished second in front of stablemate Dr Susan in Pearl Harbour’s Young Guns Fillies heat at Alexandra Park last month.
Dalgety said there was little between his trio on ability.
"The three of them are very similar. We will keep driving on and try to get to the stakes races that are coming up."
Dalgety was unable to attend yesterday’s Wyndham meeting because he was at the Australian Pacing Gold sale in Melbourne, where he bought a colt and a filly by Bettor’s Delight.
Gemma Mac was offered by Winton breeders Todd and Fleur Anderson at last year’s Christchurch yearling sales. Dalgety secured her for a large group of owners for $41,000.
The Andersons will offer a full brother to Gemma Mac at this year’s sale.
Gemma Mac was given no favours yesterday. She was forced out of the battle for the front after a hot early speed. Driver Tim Williams then worked the filly outside the leader, Total Diva, at the 1000m.
The Art Major filly did not let the tough trip stop her from scoring an impressive two-length victory.Gemma Mac was not the only promising youngster Williams drove to victory over the weekend. He scored with 2yr-old gelding Copperfield, who overcame an early gallop for an impressive win at Addington on Friday night.
Williams drove Enhance Your Calm to win the Orari Challenge Stakes in his first start as a 3yr-old on Saturday.
