While trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall had plenty to celebrate at Ellerslie on Sunday following the win of Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly) in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m), progressive three-year-old filly Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) also brought a wide smile to their faces after she produced a gutsy victory over 1200m to kick-start her summer campaign

“We thought she could win at that level first-up, Rogan and I, but it was a tough thing to do,” Richardson said.

“It was a gutsy effort, first time with blinkers on, but her work had been first class, so she was pretty forward for a first-up run.”

Richardson advised the filly would head to the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 22 but is also considering stepping her up to 1600m after that.

“Obviously it’s a question mark getting out to 1600m. 1200-1400m is her go but I can see her getting it in her own age group at least,” he said.

“It becomes tougher, I remember with Volpe Veloce we were in the same boat, we got up to a mile and she was the best filly in the country at a mile and then Bonneval came along. 

“It is a question mark, there are a few races around, but it’s not easy.”