The Mark Minervini stable retained its recent run of hot form when Andronica impressively won the FMG Engineering Maiden Plate at Gawler today.
Having just her second start following a first-up third at Morphettville Parks 3 weeks ago and an impressive trial last Monday, Andronica was sent out a worthy $2.25 favourite in the first on the card on Gawler Cup Day. She gave the big crowd of favourite punters the perfect start to proceedings with an easy 3 3/4 length victory.
Settling worse than midfield, Andronica was set alight by Adrian Patterson at the 450 metre mark and after she collared the leaders at the 200, the result was quickly beyond doubt. Andronica was purchased by Mark Minervini for just $15,000 at last year's Adelaide Magic Million sales, and looks set to eclipse that mark very early in her career. Her win provided the Minervini stable with its third win in consecutive weekends and fourth win overall in South Australia this season, good enough to have Mark Minervini sitting equal second in this season's South Australian Trainers' Premiership – a great effort from just 15 starts.
Andronica means "she who is victorious over men" and while today's race was for fillies and mares, there's no reason to think, based on today's easy win, that Andronica couldn't serve it up to the boys before long. In the meantime, her connections will be more than happy if she can keep doing a number on the girls.