WILMA Sprite upset her more fancied rivals on Monday at Kennerson Park when she took out the Ladbrokes Appreciation 0-2 Wins Heat (307 metres) at lofty odds of $35.20.
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The Magic Sprite x Songar Hi Tide bitch got an excellent start from box eight to lead start to finish.
She saw off a challenge from Ridin’ On Horses ($7.90) by three quarters of a length with Blayney Opal ($24.40) recovering well to finish third, a further length back, after a poor start.
The winning time was 18.32 seconds and was the third career win for Wilma Sprite.
The run home was in 10.19 seconds.
The large odds for Wilma Sprite were likely the result of some poor showings over her previous three runs, where she wasn’t able to finish higher than sixth.
However, winning trainer Raymond Stevenson, of Gooloogong, said his runner hasn’t had her share of luck over her recent starts.
“She was in a big final here and she led off the eight. She got to the turn and then half way through the turn they got on the back of her and dragged her down,” he said.
“Then I started her again here and I think she just lost her confidence. She didn’t begin any good. I took her away to Mudgee to get her away from this track for a bit but she missed the start there.
“But she can run. She’s never been beaten whenever she’s led.”
The two widest runners, Wilma Sprite and Ridin’ On Horses, got away strongest at the start and were easily able to cross over towards the rail.
Race favourite Stunning Ruby was looking to give home city trainer Ashley Lamb success but a scratchy start hurt her chances.
Stunning Ruby recovered with haste along the rail but was blocked for any further gains by Ridin’ On Horses, ending the favourite’s winning hopes before the turn for home.
Another two runners making a surge through the field, Kiwi Knight and Rag Poet, also had their momentum brought to a stop when the favourite had to cut in front of them.
Ridin’ On Horses had caught up to the back of Wilma Sprite midway through the turn and began to look for a path around the outside of the leader.
Wilma Sprite had enough energy to hold off her challenger and she was further assisted in her quest for a win when Ridin’ On Horses drifted a touch wide down the home straight.
Stunning Ruby finished in forth, two lengths off a top three finish.
All three of Wilma Sprite’s wins have come since April, making it a lengthy wait for success after starting her career back in October 2014.
