Ima Roca Bee Breaks Maiden in Ryder Stks

Talented filly Ima Roca Bee (El Roca-Shelly Bee, by Pentire) produced a withering finish in testing conditions to take out the final New Zealand stakes race of the 2020-21 racing season, the Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder (1200m) at Otaki. According to racingnews.co.nz, the 2YO daughter of El Roca (Fastnet Rock) had looked to be rounding into some useful form when narrowly beaten in the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at her last start and went one better on this occasion, courtesy of a patient ride by promising apprentice Erin Leighton. Despite an eight-week break since her last run, Ima Roca Bee proved the strongest in the field as she came from last at the 600m to drive past the well fancied Yeaboi (Belardo) in the final 150m to break her maiden status at just her fourth start. Bred and raced by her trainer Karyn McQuade, in conjunction with husband Hamish, the Listed O’Leary Fillies Stakes (1200m) at Whanganui in early September is now the aim with Ima Roca Bee, before she heads to the paddock for an extended summer break.

Valuable filly Ima Roca Bee (pic: Race Images Peter Rubery)