The Joe Pride-trained COSMONOVA recorded the second fastest last 1000m of the day to make it 4 from 7 at Rosehill on Saturday.
It was the first victory at Saturday metropolitan level for the daughter of ZOUSTAR, who settled a distant third around 4L behind leader DISPY DOODLE in the BM72 Handicap over 1200m
Jockey Reece Jones cleverly bided his time before switching across heels to launch his attack.
“There was good pressure in the race and I didn’t want to get involved in it,” Jones said.
“I let her build into the race, made sure I didn’t expose her too early given she was coming up to 1200m today.”
In a desperately close photo finish, COSMONOVA ($9.50) had only 0.1L to spare over DIPSY DOODLE ($4.80) with a further 1.2L to VIVY AIR ($2.35 fav) in third.
Cosmonova gets the head down in time to win Race 3 at Rosehill for @PrideRacing in a thrilling photo finish! 📸 pic.twitter.com/P4lWkZ6SZ6
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 3, 2024
“She was fantastic today. She bounced out well,” Jones added.
“I think 1200m suited her today, she might even get further. Let’s hope she follows in the footsteps of IN FLIGHT.”
The mare’s win caught the attention of our times analyst Nic Ashman.
“Overall time was 3L faster than class benchmark and she’s coupled that with the 2nd best last 1000m of the meeting,” Ashman said.
“Her last 600m was more than 7L quicker than what we expect from a horse in this grade.
“Her figures indicate she will win better races than this.”
COSMONOVA, a $220,000 yearling purchase from Milburn Creek at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, would now conservatively be worth twice what we paid for her as she is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner MAGIC TIME.
She was our 1st winner for the new season and will likely head out for a well deserved spell now.
Below is a snapshot of Saturday’s sectional times versus class benchmarks measured in lengths where (-) is faster than benchmark.
