Gussy Godiva gives Mayfield-Smith a smile
AAP Racing & Sports 18/01/03

Brian Mayfield-Smith didn't need any persuasion to accept the transfer of former New Zealand mare Gussy Godiva to his stables late last year.

The Last Tycoon four-year-old, formerly trained by Murray Baker, was just the type of horse he was looking for after having few stayers in his care since moving to Melbourne in the mid-1990s.

"When in Sydney I couldn't get sprinters but I had Cups horses, and now the reverse is true," Mayfield-Smith said.

"I've been desperate to get stayers."When I saw she (Gussy Godiva) was a stayer I was happy to take her."

The move is already proving beneficial with Gussy Godiva, having only her second start for Mayfield-Smith, landing the the Nunkalowe Hcp (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Ridden by apprentice Michelle Payne, she carried only 50.5kg and ran on from midfield in the slowly-run seven-horse event to score by a short neck from the favourite Largo with pacemaker Nas Princess a half-neck away third.

It was a significant improvement on her fifth over 1500 metres at Sandown on January 5, her first run since finishing 14th in the Queensland Oaks on June 1.

Significantly Mayfield-Smith paid tribute to the riding talent of Payne.He said Payne's riding style complements his ideas of horsemanship.

"I like the way she gets down on the shoulder of a horse and doesn't ride too short," Mayfield-Smith said."She's really part of the unit, the horse."

Gussy Godiva's has won three of her 12 starts and on breeding has the potential to establish herself as a stakes-class mare.

Her dam Sneetch, a daughter of Grosvenor, was a winner at Group Three level over 1600 metres as a three-year-old while her third dam is 1970 VRC Oaks winner Sanderae.

Mayfield-Smith said Gussy Godiva was still below peak fitness and could get her chance in better class staying races in the autumn.

"She was a bit soft today and will be better for the run," he said.

Mayfield-Smith's other major staying hope for the autumn is Diamond Jake who is being aimed at the AJC Australian Derby in Sydney."He was a run short when he was beaten two lengths in the Victoria Derby," Mayfield-Smith said."I have hopes for him."