Waikato Stud product strikes early at Flemington

Lightly raced mare Superfabulistic (NZ) got the last day of the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival off to the best possible start for Waikato Stud and the kiwi-bred runners when the five-year-old daughter of Super Seth cruised clear of a handy field in the Ronald McDonald House VIC/TAS Mile (1600m).

Rider Rachel King produced a peach of an effort as she positioned her mount immediately behind pacemaker Grand Omaha and never covered an inch of extra ground throughout the run.

After stalking the leader, King released the brakes shortly after straightening and she burst clear before drawing away to win by three lengths at the winning post.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-prepared mare was having just her 10^th start and has now posted four victories with Saturday’s effort her first at Victorian headquarters.

Bott summed the race up succinctly when asked about the performance.

“A lovely, easy watch,” Bott said.

“She’s such an honest mare for us. She tries hard and she was incredible again today. Rachel put her into the race, and she was able to do the rest from there.

“(The barrier) gave Rachel a few options even though she had tactical speed there today, she was able to have a few options and was able to control the speed.

“It looked like a nice, even tempo throughout. I liked how strong she was late, and she will be better as she gets over further. Over the last furlong she really knuckled down and pulled away late.”

Waterhouse was also delighted with the manner of the victory and confident enough to tell owner Mark Chittick (Waikato Stud) to follow that feeling.

“She's very talented, this mare,” she said.

“I rang Mark and I said, "put your money on it."

“They've been very supportive of us, and she made mincemeat of them, didn’t she?”

Waterhouse was also full of praise for the ride by King.

“Rachel was indentured to me, she was my apprentice, and then she was smart enough over the last two years to go to Japan, where there's no greater place for training stayers, and the way she came back, she just came back a different jockey,” she said.

“She's strong, she rides very light, she's got natural talent, she can ride on the speed, which I love, I think she's fabulous.”

King was also delighted by the victory on a mare she has plenty of time for.

“She deserved a nice win today, obviously she was in a better race as well, but I'm glad she got a run in this race, she’s still working her way through the grades nicely and plenty more wins to come,” she said.

“She got into that beautiful rhythm, and she has that nice speed to be there and was never going to be too far from them. She quickened up really well today. It was a good, tough effort, first time here as well. She’s done a really good job.”

Superfabulistic is a half-sister to Group One winning mare Icebath and is the seventh winner from eight foals to race from terrific producer Fabulist, a five-time winner by Savabeel that has left Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) winner Icebath, Hong Kong Group Three winner Courier Wonder, stakes-winner Nowyousee and Group Three placed Just Fabulous.