Regally bred filly City Of Lights has made a perfect start to her racing career, winning on debut at Geelong on Sunday afternoon.
The half sister to Winx, being by Deep Impact from the mare Vegas Showgirl, City Of Lights was backed into favouritism at $3 and settled off the pace from the inside barrier under jockey Ben Allen.
In what turned out to be a genuinely run 1418m contest, the Anthony and Sam Freedman trained three-year-old took a bit of time to reel in Kollantai in the home straight but eventually got the better of her, proving too strong in the run to the line, prevailing by a length and a half.
“She’s a filly that’s shown nice ability from the start,” Sam Freedman said post-race.
“Obviously, she’s high profile enough, being the sister to Winx but she’s done a good job there.
“She was always going to be strong at the end, her trials have suggested that as well, she got a really nice ride and I think the genuine tempo is what suited, she’s probably a filly that will step out to a mile in time.
“A big thank you to John Camilleri, who’s obviously sent her our way and she’s started off in good fashion.”
WATCH: Sam Freedman after City Of Lights scores on debut at Geelong
Given her pedigree, Freedman noted it would be desirable to get some black type with City Of Lights and while no firm plans have been made with her, he did mention the possibility of the filly heading towards the spring.
City Of Lights’ debut triumph adds to the success that late Japanese stallion Deep Impact has had this weekend, as he also sired the winner of Saturday’s Epsom Derby in the UK, Auguste Rodin.