‘Natural’ Phillyjean measures up in Chittick Family Fillies Classic

Cambridge trainer Samantha Logan could be in for an exciting spring with her filly Phillyjean following her eye-catching runner-up effort in the Listed Chittick Family Fillies’ Classic (1100m) at Taupo on Sunday.

The daughter of Hello Youmzain sprung the gates and rocketed straight to the front under apprentice jockey Sam McNab, who controlled the race throughout. Phillyjean kicked again at the top of the straight and quickly put several lengths on her rivals. She looked the winner a long way out, however, Hawea sprouted wings out wide and flew home late to nab her in the final 50m and win by a length.

Phillyjean has done everything but win so far in her career, finishing runner-up in all three of her starts to date, and Logan was pleased to see her filly acquit herself so well in her first stakes outing.

“She was pretty tough, it was a gritty effort,” she said. “We weren’t sure where she was going to measure up against the nice three-year-olds and it took an exceptional performance to beat her. It is good to see that she is in and around the nice horses.

“She has always been really natural and has done everything pretty easily, and we have always thought a lot of her.”

Logan said Phillyjean’s acceleration is her biggest asset.

“She is very quick,” she said. “She has got really natural gate speed, which is quite handy, she puts herself out of trouble.”

Logan is pleased with the way Phillyjean has come through Sunday’s effort and said she will likely follow the early part of the fillies’ series.