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First for Worthy Cause

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Ain't She Lovely breaks maiden at Ipswich

Worthy Cause (Luke Dittman, black, red sash, striped sleeves, striped cap) winning the Paris Lane Stakes Picture: RacingandSports

The John Zielke-trained Ain't She Lovely (2 f ex Backpacker Express by Big Brown) chalked up her first victory at the third attempt when she landed a race over 1100 metres at Ipswich on Wednesday and in so doing handed Clear Mountain Fairview-based stallion Worthy Cause (Choisir) with his first winner.

The two-year-old filly surged clear in the final stages of the contest to beat Portobello Road (Dream Ahead) by a length and three-quarters, while Air Force Rocket - who is by fellow first-season sire Air Force Blue (War Front) - was another two and a quarter lengths further away in third. 

The filly becomes the first winner for her dam Backpacker Express (Big Brown), who was herself purchased by Baddock Bloodstock for $1,000 via this year’s Magic Millions May Online Sale. 

Backpacker Express is a half-sister to Downhill Racer (Danehill Dancer), who landed the 2007 edition of the Magic Night Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m). 

Further back Ain’t She Lovely shares a page with Group 2 winner Schubert (Salieri) and Listed-winning trio Recast (Thunder Gulch), Gonski (Danehill) and Pinezeo (Danzero). 

In 2019 Backpacker Express foaled a colt by Nom Du Jeu (Montjeu) and has most recently been covered by Widden Stud-based sire Zousain (Zoustar). 

Worthy Cause’s five career victories were headlined by a win in the 2015 Gunsynd Classic (Gr 3, 1800m) and he is standing for a fee of $5,500 (inc GST).