Miss Moneypenny runs away with Ronron Trophy

MISS MONEYPENNY, the 2023 Mixed Sale topper at $4.2 million, won her first race as a three-year-old yesterday, avenging a photo-finish loss to MIGHTY GULLY, who had outbattled her by a short head at five and a half furlongs two weeks ago.

Sent off at odds of 7-2 in the six-furlong Ronron Trophy, Jason DaCosta’s MISS MONEYPENNY first turned back STRONG MIND leaving the half-mile marker before MIGHTY GULLY eased into second with Panamanian Dick Cardenas, who must have had a déjà vu moment entering the stretch run.

However, MISS MONEYPENNY (Bern Identity-Pomeroy’s Secret), a full sister to Secret Identity, who had reached open-allowance level in 2022, would not have it this time around, responding to Dane Dawkins’ whip reminders coming off the turn.

Whereas MIGHTY GULLY had taken over from MISS MONEYPENNY at the top of the straight in their previous meeting, Dawkins ensured the filly was never eyeballed in the rematch.

Unable to catch MISS MONEYPENNY, MIGHTY GULLY’s glass chin was exposed, giving way to LOCKDOWN, who came charging along the rail but too late after his momentum was slowed by a tiring STRONG MIND.

Having to switch lanes, a check that made the difference between winning and losing, LOCKDOWN had to settle for second by a half-length behind MISS MONEYPENNY, Dawkins’ second winner of the afternoon after earlier booting home United States-bred TRAIN OF THOUGHT in the third at nine furlongs and 25 yards.

Raddesh Roman also rode a two-timer in his unaccompanied march to a second consecutive jockeys’ title, easing to 97 winners with victories aboard United States-bred two-year-old, SIR DON, in the fourth.

The champion jockey closed the 10-race card with victory astride Anthony Nunes’ PLAYFAIR, staying on target for a shot at breaking Trevor Simpson’s 23-year-old record of 172 winners in a single season.

Racing continues this afternoon with a nine-race card.