Brilliant Win for Uncle Mo Filly

Astute Newcastle trainer Paul Perry never ventures to a Melbourne Spring Carnival without a handy horse and at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate eve he produced Conchita (3f Uncle Mo x Royal Dance, by Danehill Dancer) for a dominant victory. Cherry ripe at her second run back from a spell, Conchita led throughout for Steven Arnold to win the 1000 metre sprint by more than two lengths taking her overall record to three wins from six starts with prizemoney topping $185,000. "She's got beautiful speed from the barriers and I thought I'd use that," Arnold said. "I don't think you want to break her stride too much. "When we got a good break on them, I gave her a little rest and she gave a lovely kick around the corner.”

A $130,000 Magic Millions purchase for her trainer from the Coolmore draft, Conchita is the first foal of unraced Danehill Dancer mare Royal Dance, a half-sister to Group II winner Maria Royal.

A sire sensation in the US where his oldest progeny are three year-olds that include Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, Uncle Mo was super popular at Coolmore Australia last year covering 193 mares at a fee of $16,500. He remained in Kentucky this year and has not been a return visitor to Australia this spring.