O’Reilly Mare Trumps Group Two Rivals

Graham Richardson’s decision to let the O’Reilly mare Villifye take her chance in Saturday’s Gr2 Japan Trophy proved a wise move. The four-year-old dispelled any doubts about her ability to cope with the rain-affected going with a strong performance to claim another prestige event for her WS-based sire.

“I thought twice about running, but it was a Group Two race and hermain target is the Group One at Te Aroha and it slotted in well,” the Matamata trainer said. “It’s fantastic for the owners (Oxford Syndicate No.2) and she’s a half-sister to a Group One winner so she’s worth a lot of money.”

Villifiye is out of Entrepreneur mare Jacilo, whose daughter My Keepsake won the Queensland Oaks two years ago and also placed in the Queensland Derby.

Richardson is also confident his four-year-old will be even better when she is stepped out over more ground. “She’s going to be better at a mile and a-quarter (2000m),” he said.