Run Julie Run has firmly positioned herself as the undisputed leader among the 2024 cohort of locally bred three-year-olds, showcasing her prowess with an impressive victory in the seven-furlong Miracle Man Cup on the first race day of 2025.
Now transitioning into her four-year-old season, the striking grey filly, sired by Successful Native and out of the mare Runaway Julie, displayed her remarkable talent against a challenging field that included import Legacy Isle.
This competitor had notably finished a close second in the Mouttet Mile just weeks prior on December 7, 2024. Although Legacy Isle was pulled up during the course of the race by jockey Tevin Foster, the performance of Run Julie Run cannot be understated.
Jockey Dane Dawkins, riding Run Julie Run for the first time, immediately made his intentions clear when the starter initiated the race. He urged the filly forward from the number one barrier, establishing a commanding lead. Throughout the race, Dawkins exhibited exceptional skill in managing her pace, knowing precisely when to push for speed and when to allow the filly to conserve energy.
As the competitors approached the final two furlongs, Run Julie Run demonstrated her undeniable class and strength, effortlessly pulling away from her nine rivals.
She completed the seven-furlong distance with an impressive time of 1:25.0 seconds, achieving splits of 24.4, 48.0, and 1:12.3. Finishing behind her, foreigner Barnaby claimed second place, while Perfect Brew rounded out the top three. With this victory marking her sixth win from 15 starts, Run Julie Run's earnings soared past the $12.5 million threshold.
Trainer Ian Parsard proudly basked in the aftermath of Run Julie Run's triumph.
“This filly is simply amazing. This was her first run in Open Allowance, and the way she executed left me with goosebumps…this filly is truly amazing,” Parsard remarked passionately.
When questioned about his choice to sidestep the lucrative Mouttet Mile, the trainer responded with a playful smile: “Hindsight is always the best vision. At the time, we had a decision to make whether to run in the Mouttet Mile or not. We chose the latter and raced instead in the Chairman’s Trophy. She won that race with ease. What I can deduce after the fact is that Run Julie Run would have done us proud in the Mouttet Mile. I have no regrets.”
Looking ahead, Parsard articulated a clear strategic plan for the talented filly.
“Run Julie Run raced on December 7 (2024), and three weeks later she graced the track again in a higher grade. It is now time for a period of rest. Maybe the next time you see ‘Julie’ race again is probably at the end of March or in April if there are any races available,” he said thoughtfully.
As the season unfolds, racing enthusiasts will be eagerly anticipating the return of this exceptional filly, whose future in the sport looks as bright as her recent performance suggests.
