Three-year-old fillies were to the fore at the Te Aroha racemeeting on Tuesday, with first starters Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie) and Avalene (NZ) (Vadamos) making winning first impressions, while Marcella (NZ) (Sweynesse) was successful over 1200m at second time of asking. 

None were more impressive than the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Karman Line, with the daughter of Myboycharlie closing from an impossible position mid-straight to post an ultra-impressive win, despite being unwanted in the betting as a $25 chance. 

“Her trials had been good but we hadn’t put any pressure on her,” Scott said.

“She had quickened on in her work over the past couple of weeks and shown that she had good ability. 

“We actually didn’t know what was there until she let down today. While it came as a bit of a surprise, it was a nice surprise. 

“Craig (Grylls, jockey) was quite taken with the performance and the way she quickened so generously and believes she will get out a bit further than today’s distance.”

Raced by a syndicate, the O’Sullivan-Scott stable outlaid $67,500 for the filly at the 2020 Book 2 Yearling Sale at Karaka from the Cambria Park draft. 

“She was bought as a staying filly and is out of a Pierro mare that is a daughter of a Grade One winner in America on the turf over 1800m,” Scott said. 

“The pedigree points towards distance and that is the way we would be looking to head with her over the summer months.”

There were some impressive performance on the day from the fairer sex, with Vadamos filly Avalene strong through the line over 1400m for the Roger James and Robert Wellwood stable, while Sweynesse filly Marcella charged home to score over 1200m for the in-form David Greene stable.