Filly Enjoys First Date With Success (June 3 2010)

Lightly-tried youngster Dating looked a filly set to make her mark in good company after an effortless victory at the Counties meeting. The WS-bred and raced daughter of O'Reilly had finished fourth on debut last month after a tardy beginning and she showed the benefit yesterday of that experience at Pukekohe Park where she romped home by two and a-half lengths.

"She was unlucky not to win at her first start at Matamata where she was wriggling around in the barrier," said co-trainer Debbie Rogerson, who prepares the two-year-old with husband Graeme. "There's just something I like about her a lot and we'll keep her ticking over and have another run or two."

Dating is a sister to the multiple winner and Miracle Miss, who was also Gr 3 placed in the Taranaki Cup and finished fourth in the Gr 1 NZ 1000 Guineas. They are out of the Listed South Island Stakes winner Mandate, who is also the dam of three-time winner and Gr 2 NZ 2000 Guineas fourth placegetter Coup Timaru.

Rogerson has no doubt that Dating is up to adding to the honours board next season when she is likely to target the fillies' events. "I definitely think she's up to that and we don't have to worry too much about track conditions - she seems to handle anything so that's another plus," she said.