First Chorus boosts connections on tough day at Caulfield

The ups and downs of racing were on display at Caulfield on Saturday when First Chorus (NZ) (Ghibellines) provided some solace for her connections by winning the A$130,000 Sportsbet Same Race Multi Handicap (1700m).

The talented New Zealand-bred mare’s victory came in the final race on the Caulfield card and was just a few hours after trainer Lindsey Smith, jockey Jamie Mott and syndicator Brad Spicer lost Sir Atlas (Sir Percy) to a fatal injury in the fifth race of the afternoon.

“It’s been a tough day for all of the staff,” Smith’s stable representative Pat Cannon said. “Brad went home, he couldn’t handle it. But it’s good to get this result. It’s just the ups and downs of racing.

“Jamie Mott is a true professional. He was as devastated as everyone else by what happened earlier, but he came out and gave this horse a perfect ride.”

First Chorus jumped as the $2.80 favourite and took up a position just behind Makdane (Impending), with Mott keen to keep the second favourite and jockey Craig Williams firmly in his sights.

That pair hooked up in the straight and drew clear to fight out a fierce duel to the finish, with First Chorus digging deep to score a narrow win.

“Firstly, condolences to Lindsey and his team and all of the connections of Sir Atlas, it’s such a sad day for them with a beautiful horse,” Mott said. “We had to pick ourselves up and continue on.

“This looked a nice race for First Chorus and we got a great run. I just wanted to get on Willo’s (Williams) back. I knew he would lead or sit outside the leader, and I knew he was the one to beat. I was able to follow him.

“First Chorus is so genuine, and when it came down to a battle to the line, she was super.”

From a 14-start career, First Chorus has now recorded six wins and four placings and has earned A$311,360.

“She’s a beautiful mare,” Cannon said. “She puts it all into every race and represents us well.

“She had a good barrier today. She put herself there and travelled beautifully. She doesn’t win by much but gets the job done, so we’re very proud of her.”

First Chorus is by former White Robe Lodge stallion Ghibellines. She was bred by Dean Lawrence with his mother-in-law, Diana Duff-Staniland, along with Paul Duffus. She was purchased privately by Spicer Thoroughbreds.

She is a full-sister to seven-time winner Bellini Miss (NZ), with the pair out of the winning O’Reilly mare Broadway Miss (NZ).