Jockey Christian Reith is predicting a big future for Ringa Ringa Rosie after the gangly filly scored a dynamic win on debut in the DGL (Aust) 2YO Handicap at Doomben.
Reith had not set eyes on Ringa Ringa Rosie before he was legged aboard her on Saturday and his first impression was promptly erased by the devastating sprint she unleashed in the straight.
"She's a big leggy thing. She's very ungainly and immature but just wait until she learns what it's about," Reith said.
"She had to overcome some interference just after the start but I was always confident and she exploded when she sprinted in the straight.
"Her legs were going everywhere but she sprinted like a good horse when I asked her to go."
Winning trainer Bevan Laming paid $46,000 for Ringa Ringa Rosie at the Magic Millions sale and the bay filly is a daughter of the 2005 MM winner Bradbury's Luck out of Al Hareb mare La Guichet.
Ringa Ringa Rosie ($13) came from well back on the corner to overpower race favourite Jantzen ($3.50) in the shadows of the post to win by a short half-head with first starter Turnitup ($10) 1-1/4 lengths back in third.
Jantzen's jockey Jason Taylor said he thought he had the race in his keeping until Ringa Ringa Rosie appeared on the scene while fellow hoop Damien Browne said Turnitup would be much better suited over a longer trip.
Earlier, Gold Coast trainer Trevor Bailey earned bragging rights over his father Alan when his promising gelding Catallion extended his record to four wins from seven starts.
Catallion ($4.60) nosed out hotpot Favours Traded ($2 fav) in a tight finish after leading throughout under a bold ride by emerging apprentice Luke Rolls in the $50,000 Mack Trucks Australia Handicap (1640m).
Jockey Glen Colless had no luck in the straight when searching for runs on Favours Traded and the Al Maher gelding will repay his supporters before too long.
Sunshine Coast filly Lunar Rose ($26) battled bravely in the straight to finish 1-1/4 lengths back in third.
Catallion has now notched a hat-trick of wins and connections are looking forward to the winter carnival with the Lion Heart three-year-old.
The Alan Bailey-trained Dark Knight ($13) finished sixth.