The Filly (NZ) will embark on an ambitious long-term assignment for the G1 Stradbroke Hcp after scoring a determined victory at Hawkes Bay on Saturday.

Trainer Murray Neal is confident he has the raw material in The Filly who has won 7 of her 19 starts.  “She is such a brave mare who tries her heart out – she doesn’t know when to give in,” said Neal.  “We had her entered for the (G1) Makfi but I didn’t want to burn her out mentally against those top-liners before she was really ready for them.”

The Filly (5m Ishiguru – Bayline Beauty by Soviet Star) will head to the G3 Traderacks Stakes (1400m) on the last day of the Hawkes Bay Carnival as Neal attempts to gain valuable black-type for the mare’s future breeding career.

The Woodville based galloper is the last foal of Bayline Beauty, a British bred half-sister to the Caerleon stakes winners Knight Line Dancer (G3 Milan Premio Carlo Porta) and Courtline Jester (LR Singapore Derby – twice).

Neal has plenty of local and international experience to call on having started off as an apprentice with Brian Deacon and Don Sellwood.  He also worked for Bart Cummings and spent five years with Stanley Ho in Macau in addition to a stint as a pre-trainer in Japan.

“I bred and raised The Filly and all the way through she has shown me the qualities that a top horse requires,” Neal explained.  “I’m excited about where she might get to once she has the experience under her belt to compete at the elite level.”