Filly Destroys Colts in First Leg of Australia Triple Crown

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Fine Society provided the largest southern payout for Hong Kong owner William Choy with her demolition of the males in the first leg of Australia's Triple Crown, the $400,000 (Australian funds) Canterbury Guineas (Aust-I).

The only filly in a field of 14 careered away under Corey Brown to be 2 1/4 lengths clear at the end of this major contest for 3-year-olds. Time for the 1,900 meters of Canterbury Park under lights was 1:56.82.

A 4-1 third favorite, Fine Society is the 14th group I winner for Marscay, the deceased Widden sire credited with 63 stakes winners and progeny earnings of $50 million. Delta Form is his stateside legacy.

William Choy made an investment into Australian racing with his purchase of Brooklyn Stud in the Hunter Valley several years ago. His first southern group I winner was purchased as a foal for $100,000 from the Bellerive Stud  dispersal by agent Duncan Ramage. Fine Society is from English mare, Early Song, by Precocious.

Her easy win from Beaver gave trainer John Hawkes success in both group Is run in Australia on March 22 and a 1-2 at Canterbury. Yell had earlier won the Australia Stakes (see separate story) for his major clients Jack and Bob Ingham. The brothers also race Beaver.

Hydrometer, who came within inches of providing Geiger Counter with a posthumous success in the Victoria Derby (Aus-I) last spring, ran third in the Guineas, beaten a short head for second. He had ousted Helenus as favorite to run a 5-2 elect with the Victoria Derby winner easing to 3-1 before a disappointing 11th.

Fine Society is a winner of three from six attempts and almost $340,000. Tycoon Lil won the Guineas five years ago, the previous filly to win Riverina Charm in 1989.

A Marscay daughter, Lilande, produced the outstanding Defier, an easy winner of the Canterbury Stakes (Aust-II) two races before the Guineas. Defier is leading the charge as Dehere matches Danehill dollar-for-dollar. Both passed $4 million. the previous weekend, Northerly's deceased sire Serheed out ahead by $1.5 million.

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