Woodbine: Sue Leslie gets a boost

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Sue Leslie has been a regular presence in the news this year as the president of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association, a role in which she is spearheading the battle on behalf of the province’s beleaguered racing industry.

So, it was a nice change of pace last Saturday at Woodbine when Leslie found herself in the spotlight as the trainer of Moment of Majesty, winner of the $100,400 Zadracarta.

“It was a much-needed uplift,” said Leslie, who had watched Moment of Majesty become a stakes winner when she rallied to score by 1 1/2 lengths under Gerry Olguin in the seven-furlong turf race for Ontario-foaled fillies and mares.

Moment of Majesty, a homebred 5-year-old whom Leslie owners in partnership with Curtis Joseph and Don Meehan, was improving her record to 3-6-3 from 17 starts and her career bankroll to $398,401.

“I think she can run on either surface, and she’s pretty flexible distance-wise,” said Leslie, who had sent out Moment of Majesty to finish third in stakes on turf and Polytrack and to miss by just a head as the runner-up in the 2010 Woodbine Oaks.

“But she’s a very tricky horse to ride. She’s got a great turn of foot, but only for a short distance. She likes to run at horses. She doesn’t like them to run at her.

“Gerry rode her the way she needs to be ridden. He kept her relaxed, and had her go after them once they straightened out for home.”

Leslie said she has no immediate plans for Moment of Majesty and will be consulting Joseph and Meehan before deciding on her next target.