Promising filly TERMAGANT made an emphatic return to racing at the Sunshine Coast’s Friday night meeting.
Faced with barrier 9 of 11 with the rail out 9 metres, TERMAGANT ($1.90 fav) had plenty to do in the 1000m dash but a composed ride by apprentice jockey Emily Lang ensured favourite backers of a collect.
The daughter of DEEP FIELD had to go back further than Lang wanted but showed her class over the final furlong with a sharp turn of foot, winning the BM58 contest by 0.4 lengths.
“She was super today after having no luck from the alley,” Lang said post-race.
“I just let her flow but at the same time had to get back to obtain a three-wide spot with cover.
“She was further back than I anticipated but she gave me a beautiful feel in the run and was always there for me.
“She naturally improved into the straight, took the gap, and was too good for them.”
It’s Termagant with a big run to win at @SCTurfClub for Emily Lang and @ODeaHoysted! pic.twitter.com/be1iZqTQit
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2024
It wasn’t quite the five-length margin she put up in her maiden victory over the same course and distance last preparation, but it was a performance that indicated to co-trainers Matt Hoysted and Steve O’Dea that metropolitan ambitions are well within reach.
Specifically, a 3YO 1000m Handicap at the Sunshine Coast’s stand-alone Saturday meeting on July 6 looks ready-made for TERMAGANT, whose record now reads two wins and a luckless second from three starts.
She is raced in conjunction with her breeders Kia-Ora Stud after selling for $260,000 at the 2022 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Proven knows the family well, having purchased TERMAGANT’s stakes winning dam CANDIKA, who sadly passed away two years ago.
TERMAGANT is Proven’s 43rd winner for the season.