HOW many horses ever win 13-times their purchase price – and do it inside just two starts?
Taree bound filly Papal Miss is in the box-seat to more than repeat her owner/trainer Robert Agnew’s eagle eye and nifty fingers having bought the Victorian-bred three-year-old for a song.
For the record, Agnew spent a neat $1000 to secure the daughter of Craven Plate winner, Honorius, at an online auction.
Papal Miss paid down $730 on Agnew’s out-lay when an eye-catching fourth on debut in a Port Macquarie 1110m Maiden on April 16.
‘’She is a horse that has taken a bit of time,’’ Agnew says. “She is a bit of a ‘box-walker; and an immature thing.
‘’I said to (jockey) Matty Palmer before the race that she has got enough ability to win a race or two but don’t be surprised if she runs last because the occasion gets to her and she could be over-awed by everything.
“She actually over-achieved in my opinion for where she was at.
‘’I didn’t have too many expectations going into it, but like I said, she has shown me enough to win a race or two.’’
Agnew loses home-ground advantage swapping Port Macquarie for Taree but he does pick up some extra metres in Monday’s De Bortoli Wins Maiden (12570m) which could prove to be a decisive factor.
‘’She has got to travel to a different track but the extra distance suits,’’ said Agnew.
‘’This is a lot harder being a SKY2 to a TAB race but she showed me enough in her Port run that I probably don’t need to be running at SKY2’s, she will be winning me a TAB race.’’
Papal Miss boasts a pedigree far superior to her meagre sale price.
Granted, her sire Honorius has struggled to attract breeders in large numbers, but Papal Miss’s dam – Miss Moguls, is an above-average broodmare.
Her second foal, Rich Girl, was exported to South Africa where she won a Group 3 at Greyville and was runner-up in a Group 1.
Monday’s Taree meeting is another opportunity for Ashley Morgan to peg back James McDonald in their absorbing battle to be the winningest jockey in New South Wales for the season.
McDonald (111) leads Morgan by eight going into Monday.
