New Zealand trainer Wayne Hillis was in disbelief after his filly Puttanesca, ridden by three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey Glen Boss, finished a long last in the American Oaks at Hollywood Park.Puttanesca was handy early in the 2000m event but when the pressure went on at the 600 metres she started to drift through the field.She was second last turning into the home straight and Boss did not persevere with her over the final stages.She finished some 40 lengths from the winner Gozzip Girl.Hi

New Zealand trainer Wayne Hillis was in disbelief after his filly Puttanesca, ridden by three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey Glen Boss, finished a long last in the American Oaks at Hollywood Park.

Puttanesca was handy early in the 2000m event but when the pressure went on at the 600 metres she started to drift through the field.

She was second last turning into the home straight and Boss did not persevere with her over the final stages.

She finished some 40 lengths from the winner Gozzip Girl.

Hillis, who made the trip to California with his wife and training partner Vanessa, rang their son Kurt after the race.

"Dad said he could not believe it," Kurt Hillis said.

"Glen Boss said she was having breathing problems during the race."

Another factor may have been that she was given anti-bleeding drug Lasix before the race.

It was the first time it had been administered to her as the drug is banned in New Zealand.

The Oaks was Puttanesca's last start for the Hillis stable and they were hoping she would better Boulevardofdreams' effort to finish seventh in the Hollywood feature in 2004.

Puttanesca will join the stable of American trainer Julio Canani, with the filly's Hong Kong owner Y K Wong deciding to race her in the US.

She raced 11 times in New Zealand for two wins and five placings, highlighted by her victory in the Group Two Royal Stakes at Ellerslie in January.

Boom New York filly Gozzip Girl, ridden by Kent Desormeaux, justified her $3 favouritism to score by three lengths from Well Monied, with Irish filly Lexlenos the best of the overseas contingent in third.