THREE-year-old imported filly Dame Eleanor (AUS) made a cracking 1200m debut at Scottsville on Sunday, racing to the wire 1.25-lengths clear of her opposition in a Maiden Plate. She went off at 6-1 and clocked 69,54s under jockey Anthony Delpech.

Mike de Kock, back from a break in Mauritius, was impressed with what he saw from the chestnut filly and said: “She has good pace and on her home gallops we fancied her a bit today. I think the form of the race could prove strong, there were some well-bred runners and some fair form fillies in the race with Dame Eleanor here. She has scope for improvement.”

Dame Eleanor was bought at the 2015 Inglis Melbourne Sale and Mike commented: “”Jehan Malherbe and I liked her conformation and pedigree. She’s by New Approach, one of the fastest and most versatile sons of Galileo, from a mare by Exceed and Excel. Marsh Shirtliff and Jessica Slack were also at the sale, they liked the filly too so we put the partnership together right there. Well done to them and thanks for the support.”

While Mike believes Dame Eleanor looks like a proper sprinting type, she”ll probably stay a bit further as she matures. New Approach (IRE) won eight times from 1400m to 2400m – his major wins including the 2008 (then Vodafone) Gr1 Derby at Epsom.