PUDDY Pooh and Fearless Fury had different initiations to their racing careers on Saturday, with the former winning in a tight finish and the other romping to an eye-catching victory in good time.

Ridden by Omar Walker for owner, trainer Richard Azan, Puddy Pooh (Adore The Gold – Shahar) after missing the break came with a strong run turning for home to beat Mom’s Student (Richard Mairs) by a neck in Division One of the Sunnyside Stakes, a maiden special weight event for native-bred two-year-old fillies going over 1,100 metres. The winning time given to Puddy Pooh was 1:07.4 minutes. A fighting start to the career of this youngster who, despite the disadvantage of getting off to a slow start, showed grit and determination when asked to do so by the rider.

Then came Division two of the Sunnyside and a most encouraging run by the Fitzroy Glispie-owned and trained Fearless Fury (Fearless Vision – Raging Fury) with Jevvanne Erwin in the saddle.

The chestnut filly stayed with the field for the first furlong of the race before she went on her way to notch an easy 14 1/2 lengths victory over Mona Lisa Smile and Jody’s Lodge. This was an exercise stroll for the filly.

The time for five and a half furlongs was 1:06.3 minutes, which is one point one (1.1) seconds faster than the time done by Puddy Pooh. Using the accepted formula of one-fifth of a second being equal to one length, it would mean that Fearless Fury would be six lengths ahead of Puddy Pooh if the two had raced together.