It may not have been the fairytale end the owners were looking for, however the curtain has finally come down on the career of grey mare FINE MIST.
FINE MIST wound the clock back when winning over 1000m at Morphetville on April 29, however had struggled in two subsequent runs, making the decision to retire her an easy one , for the owners.
After finishing 11th behind IDATWO last weekend, the mare started at long odds in the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes on Saturday.
Stand in jockey Stephen Baster had her poised to strike rounding the bend, following the favourite and eventual winner FUHRYK. However no sooner had he pressed the go button, FINE MIST changed legs and seemed to flounder in the firm going.
Sensing something was wrong, Baster pulled her out of the race over the concluding stages, eventually finishing last, some 12 lengths from the winner.
It was an inglorious exit for a mare that has had her whole career curtailed by injury. The fact she was able to win seven races and over $300,000 in prize money is testament to her tenacity.
Originally trained at Kembla by Paul Murray, the mare was sent to Adelaide in search of an elusive black type victory. Horror barriers, inferior tracks and questionable riding tactics simply added to the owners frustrations.
The mare will now be nominated for The Great Southern Broodmare sale in Victoria , where hopefully she will find a new home as a top breeding prospect.
FINE MIST is by Cornerstone Stud shuttle stallion GOOD JOURNEY(USA), out of the PERUGINO mare MISTIFIES, making her a suitable match for many of the top stallions on offer in Spring 2017.
Thanks for the great ride .
