Daffodil ready to bloom in autumn

BY TONY BIRD

Last updated 10:58 22/02/2010

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Daffodil looks in for a prosperous autumn judging by the way she dealt to her rivals when resuming from a spell at New Plymouth on Saturday.

The class mare took her earnings to past the $1 million barrier when winning the Schweppervescence Sprint (1100m) with ease at the Taranaki Thoroughbred Racing meeting.

Having her first start since the Melbourne Cup last November, Daffodil swooped up to challenge soon after turning for home, before galloping away to score by just over a length, having been eased down by rider Opie Bosson near the line.

Part-owner Mark Chittick was on course to witness the impressive performance and said providing she came through Saturday's race well, Daffodil would back up in the $200,000 Otaki Maori WFA (1400m) at Otaki on Sunday.

Plans then could see her in Sydney for the A$400,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 20 and $1.23 million BMW Stakes (2400m) on April 3, he said.

Bosson was super impressed by Saturday's effort.

"When I eased her out she changed gear and just took off," he beamed.

Daffodil is trained at Palmerston North by Kevin Gray and raced by Chittick in partnership with his father Garry, of Waikato Stud fame.

The No Excuse Needed four-year- old has won races and been placed on a further 10 occasions.

The $22,500 she earned for her latest success pushed her total winnings to $1,014,473.

Chittick junior admitted he wasn't that confident of Daffodil winning fresh up on Saturday.

"You never know over that distance [1100m] and carrying topweight [58kg], but she was the class mare I suppose.

"We've had a great time with her so far and hopefully we're in for a really big year this one.

"It's certainly something to look forward to."

The dam of Daffodil, Spring, has a full sister to the million-dollar earner at foot and is in foal to successful Waikato Stud stallion Pins.

The race was a good result for Mark Chittick, who also shares in the ownership of Miss Caruso, the third placegetter behind runner-up Jazzella.

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