Hamish McQuade has unwavering belief in Underthemoonlight’s ability to foot it at the elite level and he’s opened his wallet to back his judgement.
The confidence of the co-breeder and part-owner of the El Hermano mare, who is trained by his wife Karyn, was given a further boost on Saturday when she won the Gr.2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa.
“After her work on Thursday I was so pleased that she was at $26 for the Tarzino - I was on that,” McQuade said.
Underthemoonlight has now been trimmed to $10 for the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy in a fortnight’s time at Hawke’s Bay.
“She won’t have a problem at Hastings as long as there’s give in the ground,” McQuade said.
Underthemoonlight was one runner at Te Rapa who relished the downgrading of the track to a Heavy 10 and she came from the tail of the field with an undeniable finish to erase memories of her unlucky run in the event 12 months ago.
She was badly held up in the straight before regular rider Cameron Lammas was able to get her into the open and they flew home late for fourth.
“I still reckon she could have run second, but Cameron is adamant she would have caught Saracino,” McQuade said.
From a wide gate on Saturday, a plan was made to give their charge plenty of time to settle and it was perfectly executed by Lammas.
He improved from the tail of the field across the top and Underthemoonlight produced a sustained finish to take the thick end of the $100,000 purse.
“I wanted to be midfield, but Hamish told me to let her drift out,” Lammas said. “She just kept giving and she’s strengthened up this time in. She’s a tough mare and always gives 110 per cent.”
Close Up also made ground from off the pace for second, as did the six-time Group One winner Kawi for third.
