NICOLE Molander had one hell of a scare.
Her exciting young trotting filly almost “threw away” her Breeders Crown final before it even started.
Only a front row draw and the fact Reina Danzante checked some runners drawn behind her which caused a false start and gave her a second crack at Group 1 glory.
“She was like a different horse the second time around. She scored up well, began quickly and easily got the lead,” driver Chris Alford said.
Moment after the win, Molander shook her head and said: “Gee she gave a decent fright there. She’s still really inexperienced so she can do things like that.”
Once in front Reina Danzante travelled well for Alford, copped some midrace pressure from former top Kiwi My Arya and then dug deep late to stave-off a late finishing burst from NSW raider Glenferrie Burn.
“It’s still all new to her,” Molander said. “She’s really only like a two-year-old with the experience she’s had.
“This is her first racing campaign. She’s come so far. We can’t wait to give her a break and bring her back next year.”
Reina Danzante finished her first campaign with eight starts for six wins and a second with earnings almost $90,000.
The beauty behind the story is the fact Reina Danzante is a daughter of former champion trotting mare and Rowe Cup winner La Coocaracha.
“I remember watching La Coocaracha win the Rowe Cup in Auckland when I was based up there. She was some sort of mare,” Molander said.
“This filly has needed time and taken a lot of work to get to this stage, but she’s got the talent to go right on with it.”
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