Patience paying off with jumping newbie
Kylie Little has been in no rush to launch the jumping career of My Maebelline Girl (NZ) (Shamoline Warrior) and that patient approach is now being rewarded.
The Cambridge trainer has taken her time with the daughter of Shamoline Warrior, who was a runaway hurdle winner on debut last month at Te Aroha where she again gave another tidy display on Sunday.
Under rider Nick Downs, the eight-year-old made all the running and had enough in reserve to maintain her unbeaten record over the smaller fences.
“She’s a tough wee girl and she loves jumping, she started schooling as a four-year-old and every year since she’s done a bit,” Little said.
“She was performing reasonably well on the flat for a while, so we just kept to that, flat racing is a bit easier on the heart than the jumping caper.”
My Maebelline Girl won on five occasions in her previous role including success in the 2024 Nathans Memorial (2200m) at Ellerslie where she accounted for past Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (24000m) winner Trust In You (NZ) (Sweynesse).
Little will now give the mare a brief let-up before raising her jumping sights deeper into the program.
“She came through it well and cleaned the bowl on Sunday night and was prancing around the paddock this morning,” Little said.
“While she’s in this ray of form we’ll look toward the Northern (Great New Zealand Hurdles, 4200m).
“She’s going to have a breather now for 10 days and then probably have a flat race and then on to the Pakuranga Hunt Hurdles and on to the Northern.”
Little is no stranger to success with jumpers, with Trisha Lea (NZ) (Zed) and Red Sunset (NZ) (Zed) both multiple winners for her in that role.
Sea Eagle (NZ) (Don Edaurdo) was another versatile performer who won two editions of the time-honoured Parliamentary Handicap (2200m) at Trentham and during a brief jumping career finished fifth in the Grand National Hurdles (3100m) at Riccarton.
My Maebelline Girl was bred by Wayne Green, of Cambridge, and remains in the ownership group, which also includes Little who combines training her small team with administrative employment within the industry.
“I’m just working two at the moment and am full-time with Waikato Thoroughbred Racing in accounts,” she said.
