Pleasantsundaygirl's rapid progression through the grades continued at Sandown today when she scored a gutsy win in the $100,500 listed Whitelion Twilight Glow Cup (1400m) on Classic Day today.

At just her fourth career run the New Zealand bred daughter of Cape Cross showed the attributes of a smart horse in the making by cruising home in a stakes race so early in her career.

And there's more to come according to her Caulfield Cup winning trainer Danny O'Brien.

"She should be better suited to at least a mile and a quarter," O'Brien commented.

"Something like the Australasian Oaks next year might be on the radar."

"She's been a lovely filly. She's gone from a maiden on Moe Cup Day to running second in a stakes race and now winning one."

"Four starts for three wins and a second," O'Brien added.

O'Brien said Pleasantsundaygirl was well named, being a pleasant mare to train during the first four starts of her short, but successful career.

"She's always shown ability. She's a filly we got from New Zealand, given her some time and she's going well now."

"She's owned by a group of young guys - she's their first horse and they're really happy," O'Brien added.

The highly promising mare will head for the paddock now, with the three wins - a stakes win and placing on her record.

"We'll put her out for a little break now for the autumn, possibly a bit later, meaning Adelaide would suit."

Pleasantsundaygirl was ridden for the first time today by top Adelaide jockey Dwayne Dunn.

Regular rider James Winks elected to ride the eventual third placegetter Bold Moment - a last start third placegetter behind Gamble Me at Flemington.

"There wasn't much between them and we decided James would ride the one who drew the best (barrier)."

"But they both drew out and this is the way it turned out," O'Brien reported.

Pleasantsundaygirl ($6-$8) had a half length to spare on the line over the consistent Blacken ($14-$18).

The winner's stablemate Bold Moment ($6.50-$7.50) was another length back in third place.

The favourite Chinamora ($5-$6 fav) was fifth for the Damien Oliver and David Hayes combination.

Pleasantsundaygirl, who's by Darley's prominent international shuttle sire Cape Cross, was purchased from the latter sessions of the 2006 New Zealand Premier Sales for NZ$50,000.

She was purchased by O'Brien for a group of first time owners through prominent bloodstock agent Henry Plumptre.

Cape Cross has sired a number of Group One winners around the world including former crack European mare Ouija Board, Hong Kong Champions Mile winner Able One and kiwi performers Gaze, Kindacross, Seachange and Mikki Street.

Pleasantsundaygirl's dam, the Thunder Gulch mare Thunder Nights, who placed as a two-year-old during a short career is a daughter of Dermody Stakes winner and Group One runner-up Furama Nights.

As a broodmare sire Thunder Gulch is proving quite a find. His daughter are responsible for recent stakes winners in Australia alone including Press the Button, Westerly Breeze, Get Square and Upstaged.

PICS - Fiona Tomlin.

© Cyberhorse 2024 Greg Irvine Published 17/11/07