REGAL AMBITION CHASING GROUP 1 GLORY

It’s not often a racehorse exceeds the expectations of her owners, but Regal Ambition did exactly that for the VIC Husslers on Sunday, blowing her opposition away in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes at Caulfield.

The VIC Husslers took over the mounting yard and cheered themselves hoarse — pardon the pun — as their three-year-old filly became an all-important black-type winner.

It wasn’t just the win that had everyone talking. It was the way Regal Ambition circled the field and stormed to the line that stamped her as a seriously exciting filly.

“BUGGER” SAYS MICHAEL DEE

As we often say in racing, the best-laid pre-race plans can go straight out the window once the barriers fly — and that was certainly the case on Sunday.

Regal Ambition bombed the start and found herself last at the 600m mark. From there, jockey Michael Dee had little choice but to roll the dice.

He circled the field aboard the talented filly, who produced a brilliant turn of foot to sweep past her rivals and defeat the well-regarded Pretty Baby by a length.

So, what was going through Dee’s mind when Regal Ambition missed the kick?

“I thought, BUGGER.

“We are going to be back, storming home and just running a nice race and still be very happy with her.

“The pace looked to be okay early, but around the 700 mark, the pace slackened. I thought, oh well, we will just make a run and see what happens, and she really towed me in.

“I thought, well, I’ve gone too early here, but credit to her and credit to the Hayes boys for having her in tip-top shape and having her ready to do something like that.

“She got there pretty easily and I felt she started to have a look around once she peaked on her run, but there is plenty of improvement to come, which is exciting,” Dee said.

NOW FOR THE THOUSAND GUINEAS

Even better news — Regal Ambition has pulled up “fantastic”, according to a very proud trainer Ben Hayes.

She is now firmly on target for the $1.5 million Group 1 Thousand Guineas over the mile on October 17 at Caulfield.

“That was a very impressive win.

“We had to go to Plan B after missing the start, and she had to make a six or seven-hundred-metre run.

“What I loved about it was how strong she was through the line, and now we’re looking forward to the mile. At this stage, it’s full steam ahead to the Thousand Guineas,” Hayes said.

THE VALUE OF BLACK TYPE

Regal Ambition is now officially a black-type winning filly — a huge box ticked and one that adds significant residual value for the VIC Husslers.

A strong performance at Group 1 level would further enhance an already exciting pedigree and her future value as a broodmare.

And there’s a nice piece of history on her side.

Regal Ambition’s granddam, champion sprinter Alinghi, won the Thousand Guineas in 2004.

Now, more than two decades later, Regal Ambition gets her chance to follow in those hoofprints.

Bring on the Group 1.

Good times ahead. Go Husslers!