Speedy filly Take Pride was the first winner for Blue Diamond winner Reward for Effort when she won on debut last December and she became his second stakes-winner on Friday night when she scored a dominant all the way win in the Group III MVRC Champagne Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Prepared by Murray Johnson, Take Pride was not beaten far in her first two runs back from a spell in Black Type races won by Petits Filous and was fit and sharp for this 1200 meter sprint.
She quickly found the front for Patrick Moloney and had no trouble shaking off the favourite Secret Agenda turning for home to stride away and win by some three lengths.
“She’s a horse with plenty of ability and plenty of speed,” said Moloney.
“Murray (Johnson) had her cherry ripe for tonight.”
Purchased from the Eldon Park draft out of Inglis Premier, Take Pride will be hard to beat going forward in the fillies sprints.
“That was very special,” said Murray Johnson, who trained in North America for 30 years before returning to Australia five years ago.
“She’s very quick and at her third run back froma spell she was at the top of her game.”
The most expensive filly from the first crop of yearlings by Reward for Effort, Take Pride obviously has ability to match her good looks with her race record now reading three wins and two placings from eight starts with prizemoney topping $230,000.
Take Pride is the first foal of Shabtis, a winning half-sister by Elusive Quality (USA) to five time Group I winner Mummify, who has a Caulfield Cup win amongst his elite victories.
Take Pride is the second stakes-winner for Reward for Effort joining Gold Symphony.
Reward for Effort stands at Chatswood Stud in Victoria and has been extremely popular with breeders covering some 670 mares in his first four seasons standing at a fee of $11,000.