Air Force Blue’s Forceful Matilda Beats Elders in Australia

Air Force Blue registered another Australian winner on Saturday when Forceful Matilda (2f Air Force Blue x Matilda’s Dance, by Danehill Dancer) drew away to win by 2 ½ lengths over her elders.

Racing over six furlongs on the Toowoomba turf, Forceful Matilda went straight for the lead with jockey Jackson Murphy keeping a hold on her as another horse joined her on the front end. The filly let that one have the advantage by a neck before taking command again as they entered the final two furlongs.

Murphy let her do the work on her own until the final sixteenth when he gave her a tap to keep her focused. The filly had the win well in hand with a few horses making a run late but never able to truly threaten her win.

It was the third start for the Mark Currie-trained filly, who was making her return after being given a spell during the Australian Autumn. The filly is owned by Mrs. D T Currie, Mr B W Facer, and Mr A L Gee.

Bred by Mr. BM Nolan, Forceful Matilda is one of three winners from six to run out of Matilda’s Dance. That mare is a half-sister to Fastnet Rock’s stakes winner Rockolicious and is also a granddaughter of three-time Group I winner and successful broodmare Canny Lass.

Air Force Blue is the sire of 37 worldwide winners in seven different countries, led by seven stakes performers and stakes winner Fighting Force.