Ab Fav Di too good on debut

OWNER-breeders George and Diane Mills were all smiles after their two-year-old filly Ab Fav Di made a winning debut at the Gold Coast today.
The Les Kelly-trained filly is the first foal of their former good mare Dantibes Rhythm who won five races and was placed another 18 times during her 48-start career.
“Dantibes Rhythm won about $111,000 and was fourth in a Listed race at Eagle Farm (behind Devil Inside in the 2006 Juanmo Quality),’’ said George Mills.
“We have her booked in to So You Think at Coolmore later this year which is exciting and it’s good to see her first foal win at her first start.
“And this filly’s done a great job to win today from an awkward gate.’’
The Australian champ So You Think was retired last week after completing his successful international career with Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien and will stand at $60,000 service fee this year.
The Mills family, who have at stud at Tamborine, have a long association with racing and one of their best gallopers was Ballyman’s Boy, winner of the 1985 Ipswich Cup.
Ridden by Tony Pattillo, Ab Fav Di ($11) settled in fourth place in the John Goss Memorial QTIS 2YO Maiden Plate (900m) and fought on gamely to hold Unseen ($6) by a short head. Rose Of Clare ($7) was a length away third.
Pattillo completed a winning double a few races later on the Brian Smith-trained Tuatara ($4 eq fav) in the Ross Tisch Memorial Class 1 Hcp (1200m).
Story: Neil Archer
Photo: Trackside Photography Pty Ltd