SHAZZA A BRILLIANT GRADUATE OF MERRIMAN MEMORIAL

Ian Fortune

 

It’s worth noting that the second round of the Paddy Merriman Memorial will take place this Friday night and not on Saturday as expected.

The valuable stake has become a tremendous stepping stone to future success in recent years and only last night that was proven across the water.

Last year the Merriman Memorial went to Ballymac Gloria. A member of the stunningly fast Ballymac Cooper/ Ballymac Wisdom litter, she grew through the stake to win the final in 28.13. Not long after she was sold across the water and joined John Mullins, becoming Aayamza Shazza.

She was given a few months to settle into her new surroundings but quickly established herself as an open race performer when returning earlier this year, reaching the final of the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby at Monmore and the final of the Brighton Belle at Hove.

She recently returned from seasonal rest and was thrown straight into the East Anglican Derby at Yarmouth. After a big run in the semi-finals last week, she was subject to plenty of market support ahead of Wednesday’s Category 1 final and it proved to be inspired money.

Running a superb bend and showing great pace down the back straight, she took charge long before the third turn to emerge a tremendous winner. One suspects it won’t be the last big race success of her career.

Looking through the results and performances from the opening round of this year’s Paddy Merriman Memorial, it is again possible a few top class trackers will emerge in the coming weeks.