By Duane Ranger.
Brilliant pacing filly, Pelosi, has now won 10 of her 20 starts, but trainer Anna Woodmansey says her latest victory, despite being a Group One event, was surreal – a little strange even.
“It’s the first time we’ve ever won a race on a protest, and then there was no post-race presentation because of the inquiry.
“We actually didn’t see the incident, but apparently Sky Racing portrayed it really well. We were getting phone calls saying our girl would get promoted,” Woodmansey said.
The ‘incident’ came in the home straight of the Group One $125,000 NSW Breeders Challenge 3yo Fillies Final at Tabcorp Park Menangle on October 24.
The stewards report read: ‘A protest was lodged by the connections of Pelosi against Keep Rockin, which was first past the post, alleging interference over the final 200 metres. After considering all available evidence, it was established that leaving the 150 metres as Pelosi was improving to the outside of Keep Rockin. Both runners raced in close proximity to each other. Keep Rockin then shifted out marginally and, as a result, Pelosi was obliged to be checked away from that runner losing ground and momentum. Given the degree of interference, the proximity of the incident to the finish, and the manner in which both runners finished the race off coupled with the small official margin of a nose, the protest was upheld and Pelosi was promoted to first.’
“She definitely lost momentum, but you have to feel sorry for the connections of Keep Rockin. It was a great drive by Jimmy (Douglass). Pelosi really enjoys the big track at Menangle. It gives her plenty of time to wind up.
“That was a great thrill. It might have been an odd night but we got the result we were looking for. We hope she can carry that Group One winning form on at the Queensland Summer Carnival next month,” Chambers Flat-based Woodmansey said.
Pelosi, who drew four and opened the $2.80 favourite, paced the 1,609m mobile mile in 1:52.4. Her sectionals were 27.7, 29.4, 28.1, and 27.2.
That was her 10th win in 20 starts for Woodmansey’s partner, Wayne Honan, who bred and owns the rising 4-year-old daughter of American Ideal. She’s now won three Group Ones.
Her other two came via the $125,000 NSW Breeders Challenge at Tabcorp Park, Menangle last June, and the $350,000 APG Final on at Albion Park on May 11.
Woodmansey insisted regular driver and Pelosi’s farrier, John Cremin, had not been replaced.
“A few people have said that and it couldn’t be further from the truth. Jim did a great job in Sydney and Wayne and I are grateful for that, but John has always got on well with the horse.
“He just couldn’t drive her down south because he would have had to quarantine down there – and we raced four times.”
Pelosi recorded two seconds in New South Wales as well. It was a venture south that pleased both Woodmansey and Honan.
“Mentally she has matured a lot and seems to take travelling in her stride now. I’m just so pleased for Wayne who has given a lifetime to the sport and had hundreds of mares over the years.
“He no longer has Pelosi’s Mum For Dear Life (by Life Sign), so I’m rapt for him that he can get a real good one in his retirement years, and still have a nice broodmare to call on one day.”
Woodmansey said Pelosi, Queensland’s current 2yo Pacer-of-the-Year, was the best horse she had sat behind.
“She’s the best pacer I have trained and we are all very proud Queenslanders. She gave John and I our first Group One victories and now she’s gone on with it.
“She will have a race or two before the Group race and perhaps a mares’ event next month,” Woodmansey said.
For the record… Pelosi is named after 80-year-old Nancy Patricia Pelosi, an American politician who has been the speaker of the United States House of Representatives since January 2019.
“Wayne named her. He reckons Pelosi gives (Donald) Trump heaps. Her mother was also a very nice racehorse. In fact, a lot of the family have done well.”
Honan’s Hall-of-Fame father, the late Jack bred Pelosi’s grand-dam, the 1992 Stature mare, Express Post.
Between them, For Dear Life (dam) and Express Post won 25 races and just on $400,000. For Dear Life won 14 of her 28 starts ($322,331) and three Group One events, including the $125,000 Breeders 2yo Challenge in 2008; the $100,000 NSW Wales Oaks in 2009; and the $100,000 APG 3yo Fillies Final in 2009. The first two Group Ones were achieved at Harold Park and the latter at Albion Park.
Woodmansey said Express Post won 11 of her 18 starts and $89,483.
“I think that might be where Pelosi gets her speed from Express Post, because she was an exceptionally fast mare,” said Woodmansey.
Pelosi’s last-start Group One win can be ciewed here (see Race 5):
https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=PC241020
