One of the more impressive winners on the program at Matamata on Wednesday was the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained filly Escudo (NZ) (El Roca).

The daughter of El Roca had been placed once as a two-year-old when splitting Yourpoint (NZ) (Bull Point) and Vernazza (NZ) (More Than Ready) and showed good progression from two to three when winning the GCM Feeds (1200m) maiden in good fashion.

“It was pleasing how she settled well and quickened in what looked to be an even little field,” Scott said.

“The way she quickened, she looks like she will get over further, which is probably a necessity as a three-year-old going forward into the season.

“We always had high hopes for her, but the COVID lockdown and the extra time she got has been a massive aid to her and looking at her today in the ring, she has bloomed into a lovely big filly.”

Earlier on the card, another daughter of El Roca in El Nymph (NZ) recorded a deserved maiden victory over 1600m, the first win for the training partnership of Nigel and Tammy Elliott.