A few drinks and a bright idea at last year’s Nutrien Equine Melbourne Yearling Sale kickstarted an exciting ride for a group of women who will chase glory in a $200,000 feature race this evening with bargain buy Delizioso.

The Ride High filly out of Bettors Delight mare Miss Delightful caught the eye of prominent owners Mick Boots and Erica Tongs, along with their friends and trainers, father-daughter duo Craig and Abbey Turnbull, and was ultimately snapped up for the ultra-low price of $5000.

“We were standing there having a few drinks, it was toward the end of the sale and we were all feeling a little merry,” recalls Abbey. “Mick and Erica decided we should have a girls’ horse, one to have some fun with.”

From there, Maddie Ray and Abbey’s mother Rebecca Cartwright were added to the ownership and the name Delizioso given to the striking bay.

“She was a nice type and presented beautifully,” Abbey said of the filly, who was the lowest priced pacer to compete in the Victorian Nutrien qualifiers.

Delizioso made her race debut in last Friday’s Nutrien heat for two-year-old fillies, finishing a strong second behind the Emma Stewart-trained Frolicnearthesea to book her place in tonight’s rich final.

She has drawn barrier two for the showdown, where she will be driven by Abbey and take on a field including four fillies from New South Wales, one from Queensland and six from Victoria.

While Delizioso was bought for just $5000, rivals such as Fiction File ($100,000), Devious Minds ($60,000), Lucky Luda ($52,500) and Seaside Drive ($36,000) carried much heftier price tags at the sales.

“She showed some personality, that’s why we all began to love her so much,” she said.

“She always showed nice promise, doing everything right. Towards the end of her second preparation, she really started to impress us.

“We knew she wouldn’t disgrace herself after working nicely at home and performing well in her trials.

“We are extremely happy with her run – a huge ask for a first starter – but she’ll only get better. Win, lose or draw she will have a break after the final.

“She shows great promise and ability with the personality and character to match. We are really excited to see how far she will go.”

And the name Delizioso, where did that come from?

Well, Abbey can explain that one. “It means ‘delicious’, which is what we thought the drinks were on sales day,” she said.