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 Class filly Gallica prevailed in a stirring struggle with Gold Water in today's Group 2 Kewney Stakes at Flemington.
The pair went head and head for most of the Flemington straight after Gold Water had led for most of the race before the turn. With Nash Rawiller coaxing the best out of Gold Water and champion hoop Damien Oliver riding Gallica hands and heels, it was only in the shadows of the post that Gallica was able to inch in front.  The official margin between Gallica ($2.80-$3.70) and Gold Water ($2.80-$2.70F) was a short neck, with 1½ lengths to Lamarr ($4.60-$5.00-$4.40) in third place.
In winning today, Gallica turned the tables on the Gai Waterhouse trained Gold Water, which had beaten her at Caulfield when the pair met in the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes at their last start.  "She's a tough little thing that horse of Gai's", said Oliver.
"You don't want to get in a war with her, like most of Gai's they're hard to get past." "I just kept a little bit for late and she was too strong." Oliver explained that Gallica was fitter today than she was at Caulfield.
 "She's just been a little bit behind in her fitness her last couple of runs but today she was spot on", he said.
Winning trainer Mick Price has plans to take Gallica to Adelaide and then Sydney in pursuit of Group 1 Oaks glory. "She was definitely underdone the other day but if you want to try and win an AJC Oaks its no use having them screwed tight at their second run over a mile", he explained. "She won fair and square and I'll probably take her to Adelaide for the Australasian Oaks on the 21st." Price expects few problems travelling Gallica and is looking forward to going to Sydney after Adelaide.
 She's a very quiet filly even though she's never been away. Sometimes they have a plane from Adelaide straight back to Sydney but we'll have to work that one out.
A $250,000 purchase from the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Gallica has now earned three quarters of a million dollars from 5 wins and 3 seconds in only 9 starts. By Arrowfield Stud's Redoute's Choice, Gallica is one of two winners from the lightly raced and American placed Kingmambo mare Swing Queen. Swing Queen is a half sister to four stakes performers including French Group Two winners Masterful and Corviglia. Photos: Fiona Tomlin
© 2010 Published 07/03/09
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