Five-year-old mare Friday At Five ($4) stormed to an impressive victory at Mornington last Thursday, comfortably accounting for her rivals over 1500-metres. The daughter of Zoustar was given an excellent ride by jockey Beau Mertens, who settled third in the run, five lengths astern of race leader Valenki ($6). Mertens eased Friday At Five out three-deep at the two-furlong mark, the mare cruising up and taking over soon after, dashing clear in the home straight to win by two-and-a-half lengths. “When I got to that leader, she just continued to stretch out to the line and felt like she was going to be very hard to run down, which she was”, the Group One winning hoop said.
Mertens went on to indicate that the mare is ready to step out in trip, a view shared by Henry post-race. “She really went to the line well and was extra strong through the line”, he said. “Clearly a mile to seventeen-hundred next time will be right up her alley”.
“It was a good, progressive win. Hopefully she can string two or three together again now”.
Thursday’s victory was win number four for Friday At Five, pushing her career prizemoney beyond $110,000.