Having accepted, with two runners in the New Year Plate at Flemington, paid off for the training partnership of Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, when Sword Of Light had to be withdrawn as they still had a live chance in Want To Rock.

At the time of scratching Sword Of Light was a warm favourite $2.50, whilst first starter Want To Rock was showing $11, after opening at $9.

Even if Sword Of Light had been declared a starter, she may have had her work cut out to defeat her stable mate, as Want To Rock was pretty impressive.

She led for most of the trip and could have been headed once or twice in the straight, but to her credit she stuck to her guns, winning by a half neck after hard riding from Katelyn Mallyon, another winner closer to reducing her allowance.

Simon Zahra, representing the stable, said, “we have always had a good opinion of the filly, she showed good natural ability when trailing at Werribee, she also had a nice trial here that influenced us to run her,” he said.

The win was a great lift for her sire, Wanted, he has taken a little time to find his straps; he is represented by four yearlings in the Magic Millions yearling sales this week. 

Want To Rock winning the first race at Flemington for 2016