Bounding beats Kiwis in Railway Stakes

Exciting filly Bounding began the New Year with a bang in the G1 Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie.

The Australian bred daughter of Lonhro became the first three-year-old to win the feature sprint since (My) Gold Hope in 1981.

Bounding (3f Lonhro – Believe’n’succeed by Exceed And Excel) had been a good thing beaten at her previous start in the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas when jockey Mark Du Plessis took the blame for the defeat.

“I’m just grateful for being given another chance to prove she’s a genuine Group 1 filly,” Du Plessis said.  “She jumped straight to the front and kept finding.”

Trainer Ken Kelso criticised the ride in the Riccarton classic but agreed Du Plessis should retain the ride.  “I was pretty upset that Mark threw a Group 1 away when she should have won it,” he said.  “I’m pleased we sat down and talked it through.  It’s a huge thrill and she’s a special filly.”

Bounding was purchased by owner Gary Harding for $425,000 at the 2012 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and she has now won 6 times in 9 starts for $366,675 in prizemoney.  She is by Darley sire Lonhro from G3 Blue Diamond Prelude winner Believe’n’succeed  who foaled a Street Cry colt in September.