Meri Shika, the second-longest shot on the board at 24-1 in a seven horse field, surprisingly got the job done in the $100,200 Flaming Page Stakes, one of the co-features on Saturday’s card at Woodbine.
Ridden by Emma-Jayne Wilson and trained by Roger Attfield, the French-bred four year-old filly hadn’t finished better than fourth in her six North American starts since arriving from her homeland a year ago.
But the Stella Perdomo silk-bearer, a product of Spirit One-Folle Biche finally found the winner’s circle in her seventh outing on these shores, wearing down the 7-5 favourite Savvy Hester in the closing yards of the mile and one-half turf contest to win by one and one-quarter lengths in 2:30.22 over a course listed as ‘good’.
Savvy Hester had tried to wire her six rivals from the outset, galloping along through fractions of :26.46, :51.56 and 1:16.42, before reaching the mile in 1:41.69, while being pressed by Players Club. When the field turned into the lengthy E.P. Taylor Turf Course stretch, after a mile and a quarter in 2:05.87, the favourite was still in front but was challenged by Players Club, before Meri Shika loomed up on the outside at the eighth pole.
After a brief tussle, Meri Shika, who had tracked from third on the outside for most of the running, edged ahead to stay. Auld Alliance rallied for third.
It was the fifth Flaming Page victory for Hall of Famer Attfield since 2004. He trained Gary Tanaka’s Noble Stella, the 2005 winner, then won three in a row, two with Mekong Melody in 2009 and 2010, and the 2011 renewal with Perdomo’s Honimiere.
“Roger’s instructions were to get her covered up like they do in Europe,” said Wilson. “The pace was really slow. I had a bit of a hard time, but once I got her in behind Players Club, she settled down and was there on the bridle right for me. I just needed to have a chance when we turned for home for her to run them down. I was really pleased when I tipped her out and she was full of run.”
Added Attfield, “She’s been difficult, actually. I always thought this filly wanted to run a mile and a half but most of the connections didn’t think so. She definitely needed covering up. She’s kind of rank. So it’s not the easiest thing to do. Also, she doesn’t want a lot of whipping. I knew there wasn’t much pace in the race. I said (to Emma), ‘I don’t know how you’re going to do this, but I really want you to get this filly covered up.’ As soon as Emma was able to get her to relax, at the half-mile pole, I said ‘I’ll win this’. I’m delighted.
Meri Shika lit up the toteboard, paying $51, $13.80 and $5.70, combining with Savvy Hester ($3.30, $2.40) for a $201.80 (7-4) exactor. A 7-4-5 (Auld Alliance, $2.60) triactor was worth $655.20 while a $1 Superfecta [7-4-5-6 (Players Club) returned $1,334.40.
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