Riccarton, G1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas, NZ$300,000, 1600m
Race summary:
Last week’s G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas followed a widely expected script, ending in an easy win for the country’s dominant male 3-year-old Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
The fillies’ equivalent was much harder to predict, with an even line-up of contenders who had all shown talent at various times during the spring.
In the end, Saturday’s 1000 Guineas produced a 27-to-one upset victory by Loire (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), who had been stakes-placed behind Catalyst at Hastings earlier in the spring.
She suffered atrial fibrillation when unplaced in the G3 Soliloquy S. in between times, but when it mattered most, she bounced back in brilliant style.
Rider Michael McNab was happy to ease Loire back to third-last as the unbeaten Travelling Light (NZ) (El Roca) set the pace. That runner’s jockey Samantha Collett enjoyed an easy, unchallenged lead for most of the 1600 metre journey.
But Loire was travelling with ominous ease approaching the home turn, and when McNab turned her loose, she roared up alongside Travelling Light.
That runner fought back bravely on the inside, but Loire overpowered her down the straight and went clear. To McNab’s obvious delight, she scored by a long neck.
Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) followed Loire through a gap and ran home strongly into second, beating Travelling Light by 0.5l.
Bavella (Snitzel), Bella Mente (NZ) (El Roca) and Kali (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) all finished close up behind the first three.
Loire is trained by Tony Pike for owners Brent and Cherry Taylor and Kate Plaw. The Taylors bred Loire under their Trelawney Thoroughbreds Ltd banner, and they retained her to race after a paddock injury ruled her out as a yearling sales prospect.
Loire has now had six starts for two wins, two placings and $193,250 in stakes. She has also taken a clear lead in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series.
Pedigree notes:
Loire is by the late, great Redoute’s Choice, whose overall tally currently stands at 1099 winners from 1444 runners. He has sired 168 individual stakes winners, with 36 at Group 1 level – a list that features such big names as Miss Finland, Lankan Rupee, The Autumn Sun and Snitzel.
Loire is the third Group 1 winner in New Zealand for Redoute’s Choice. King’s Rose (NZ) also won the New Zealand 1000 Guineas in 2010, and later performed with distinction in Melbourne, while Redoute’s Dancer won a New Zealand Derby for Tim Martin.
The dam of Loire is Syrah (NZ) (Traditionally {USA}), a half-sister to the G1 Queensland Oaks winner Vouvray (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}). Another half-sibling, Bolton (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), won the Listed MRC Victoria Cup.
They are all progeny of Real Success (Success Express), who won the G2 Dulcie S., G3 Royal S. and G3 Centaine S. Her dam, meanwhile, is a half-sister to the dam of G1 Santa Monica H. winner Toga Toga Toga (USA) (Saratoga Six {USA}).
Syrah herself was placed on the racetrack, and she is the dam of four winners from four foals to race. Two of them are now Group 1 winners, with Loire joining the G1 Thorndon Mile winner A Touch Of Ruby (NZ) (Pins).
Since producing Loire in 2016, Syrah has had a colt by Ocean Park (NZ) and a colt by Tivaci.
Riccarton, G3 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup, NZ$250,000, 3200m
Race summary:
Dee and Gee (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) delivered one of the most popular results of the New Zealand Cup carnival when she outstayed her rivals in Saturday’s time-honoured stamina test.
The 6-year-old is trained in Timaru by her owners, Terrill Charles and Peter Corbett. In 2015, Charles was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer and was told she likely had only four months to live.
Four years later she is still going strong, and still training a quality team of horses including Saturday’s tenacious Cup winner.
It was a deserved big-race breakthrough for Dee and Gee, who stepped up to stakes level at this carnival last year with a 50-to-one upset in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy. Since then, she has finished second in the G3 Wellington Cup, fourth in the G1 Auckland Cup, third in the G3 Canterbury Gold Cup, and second in her attempted defence of the Metropolitan Trophy last week. On Saturday it was finally her day.
She was perfectly ridden by Leah Hemi, who followed in the footsteps of Sam Spratt (twice), Kelly McCulloch (twice), Lisa Allpress (twice) and Rosie Myers for the eighth consecutive New Zealand Cup win by a female jockey.
After settling in fourth through the early stages of the race, Hemi got Dee and Gee rolling with more than 700 metres left to run.
The chasers tried to reel her in down the straight, but Dee and Gee was too tough, winning by 0.75l from the topweight Kaharau (Ad Valorem {USA}). The Wellington Cup winner Gorbachev (NZ) (Gorky Park {NZ}) was another head away in third.
Dee and Gee has now had 36 starts for six wins, eight placings and $378,485 in stakes.
Pedigree notes:
Dee and Gee was bred by Sildi Bloodstock Ltd and was a $16,000 purchase at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale at Karaka.
Her Cup victory completed a remarkable week for Darci Brahma (NZ), who also sired last Saturday’s G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Catalyst (NZ).
The Oaks Stud’s ultra-consistent stallion now boasts a career tally of 444 winners from 611 runners, including 42 individual winners at black-type level.
Dee and Gee’s dam is Gabana (NZ) (Jungle Pocket {Jpn}), a half-sister to Listed Port Adelaide Cup winner Richracer (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) and Listed Summoned S. runner-up Ky’s the Limit (NZ) (Bertolini {USA}).
Another half-sister, Lionstar (NZ) (Pentire {GB}), is the dam of the stakes-placed Secret Ambition (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}).
Second dam Star Parade (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}) is a half-sister to G1 New Zealand S. winner Armstrong (NZ) (Classic Fame {USA}), G3 AJC Summer Cup and Chairman’s H. winner Spiritual Star (NZ) (Shearwalk {Ire}) and G3 Dunedin Gold Cup winner Star on Ice (NZ) (Half Iced {USA}).
Herself a four-race winner, Gabana has produced three winners from three foals to race. Marshal (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) was a winner over 2100 metres, while Play Me Now (NZ) (Bernardini {USA}) has so far won over 1400 and 1600 metres.
Gabana produced foals by Niagara in 2016 and 2017.
Riccarton, Listed Barneswood Farm Welcome S., NZ$55,000, 1000m
Race summary:
The 2019 New Zealand Cup Carnival has been an unforgettable week for young trainer Daniel Miller and his family.
The 22-year-old claimed the first stakes win of his career on Wednesday, winning the G3 Stewards’ S. with Sheezallmine (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) – a $1,000 yearling purchase who is raced by his parents, John and Maree Miller. The rookie trainer also won another race on Wednesday’s card with Lavaglo (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop).
Four days later, Miller and his parents struck black-type gold again – this time with La Romanee (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) in the Listed Welcome S. for 2-year-olds.
In contrast to the front-running heroics of Sheezallmine on Wednesday, La Romanee’s Welcome win came with a flying finish out of nowhere.
He missed the start and was still second-last with 500 metres left to run, but unleashed a massive finish in the straight with Samantha Wynne in the saddle. He swept past nine horses in just a few strides, racing clear to win by 0.75l.
Showemhowitsdone (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) and Ohio Showgirl (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) made up good ground in the last 75 metres to fill the minor placings, with Showemhowitsdone finishing 1.5l ahead of her fellow Showcasing filly.
Like Sheezallmine, La Romanee is raced by John and Maree Miller.
La Romanee was a $22,000 purchase at Book 2 of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
The gelding has now had three starts for two wins, earning more than $42,000 in stakes.
Pedigree notes:
La Romanee was bred by Lloyd and Heather Monehan.
He is a son of Burgundy (NZ), who himself was a $1.3 million yearling purchase at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. After winning five stakes races and placing at Group 1 level, the son of Redoute’s Choice has forged a successful stallion career at the famous Cambridge Stud.
Standing this year for a fee of $6000, Burgundy is the sire of 37 winners from 89 runners. La Romanee is his third stakes winner, joining the Group 2 winners Dijon Bleu (NZ) and Hard Merchandize (NZ). Dijon Bleu also won two Group 3 races and two Listed events, and placed in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas, earning the title of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year for 2017/18.
Burgundy’s best performer in Australia has been Brandenburg, a placegetter this spring in the G2 Stan Fox S. and G3 VRC Carbine Club S.
La Romanee is out of the six-race winner Celtic Dream (NZ) (Casual Lies {USA}), whose dam is a three-quarter-sister to the G1 AJC Oaks winner Domino (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}).
The fourth dam Mary Poppins (NZ) (Fair’s Fair {GB}) is also the granddam or great-granddam of Group 1 winners Westminster (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}), Sale of Century (NZ) (Prized {USA}), Clearly Innocent (Not A Single Doubt), Kiwi Hero (NZ) (Deputy Governor {USA}) and Veloso (NZ) (Zamazaan {Fr}).
Celtic Dream is the dam of two foals to race, both of them stakes winners. Won Won Too (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) won the Listed Galilee Series Final H.
Celtic Dream had another Burgundy colt in the spring of 2018.
Tauranga, G2, Gartshore Tauranga S., NZ$100,000, 1600m
Race summary:
After a breakthrough 2018/19 campaign that culminated in a Group 2 win and a Group 1 placing, bigger and better things may now be in store for Supera (NZ) (Savabeel).
Carrying the colours of owner-breeder Sir Peter Vela, the exciting mare won four of her seven starts last season including the G2 Travis S. and G3 Anniversary H. She also finished second behind Nicoletta (NZ) (Savabeel) in the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S.
Supera began her new campaign at Ellerslie late last month, finishing a close second in the Stella Artois H. under 60kg. She returned to black-type competition on Saturday and made a huge splash.
It was far from an ideal race for the 5-year-old and her jockey Michael Cameron, trapped three wide without cover all the way to the home turn.
But Supera’s superiority shone through, surging home from third-last and devouring the front-running The Mitigator (Master Of Design). She went clear to win by 2.25l.
The Mitigator held second by a long head from Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), who had beaten Supera at Ellerslie but was worse off at the weights under Saturday’s weight-for-age conditions. Consensus (NZ) (Postponed {USA}) finished fourth.
Supera is trained by Ken and Bev Kelso and has now won seven of her 15 starts, earning more than $252,000 in prize-money.
Pedigree notes:
Supera is by the Cox Plate winner Savabeel, whose 2019 book at Waikato Stud is filled to capacity at a $125,000 service fee.
A multiple New Zealand champion sire, Savabeel has been represented by 629 winners from 891 runners with 92 individual stakes winners.
Supera is out of Sopra Tutto (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}, an unraced daughter of the G1 Queensland Oaks, Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup and Tancred S. winner Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm {USA}).
While none of Ethereal’s progeny have matched her own ability, they nevertheless include stakes winner Seraphim (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), Group 1-placed Uberalles (NZ) (Giant’s Causeway {USA}) and Group 3 placegetters Imperium (NZ) (Encosta de Lago) and Duquesa (Encosta de Lago).
Sopra Tutto is the dam of four winners from five foals to race. Eleonora (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) scored a fitting victory in the G3 Ethereal S. on Caulfield Cup day in 2016. She also won the G3 Sunline Vase and placed in the G1 VRC Oaks.
Sopra Tutto’s 2015, 2016 and 2017 foals Surtout (NZ) (Cape Blanco {Ire}), Aloft (NZ) (Atlante) and Hoity Toity (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) are all unraced. She was served by Snitzel last season.
Newcastle, G3 New Zealand Bloodstock Spring S., $160,000, 1600m
Race summary:
For just the fourth time in its history, the spring 3-year-old feature was won by a filly as Asiago (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) followed in the footsteps of Lotteria (Redoute’s Choice) in 2004, Lovemelikearock (Fastnet Rock) in 2009 and Invincible Gem (I Am Invincible) in 2016.
She was also the third consecutive Spring S. winner for Godolphin, following on from Astoria (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) and Aramayo (Poet’s Voice {GB}).
Asiago had looked good in the early spring with three consecutive victories, but tarnished her form line with an eighth placing after over-racing in last month’s G2 Fillies’ Classic at The Valley.
She bounced back in style on Saturday, sitting right on the back of the front-running favourite Rule The World (Hallowed Crown) before finishing over the top of that rival in the straight and racing clear.
Game Of Thorns (Animal Kingdom {USA}) and Donandkim (Smart Missile) ran on to fill the minor placings, but Asiago and jockey Rachel King held on by a half-neck. Game of Thorns took second, 0.5l ahead of Donandkim.
Asiago has now had nine starts for four wins, earning $166,995 in stakes.
Pedigree notes:
Asiago is by the world-renowned Medaglia d’Oro (USA), whose global total is now 868 winners from 1357 runners.
From his Southern Hemisphere-bred progeny, he has sired 226 winners from 356 runners including 25 individual black-type winners. Heading that group are four Group 1 winners – Golden Slipper winner Vancouver, Golden Rose winner Astern, Thousand Guineas winner Flit and New Zealand Derby winner Crown Prosecutor.
Asiago is a Godolphin home-bred and comes from a quality family. Her dam Disputes (Manton) won the Listed Reginald Allen H. and is a half-sister to Divorces (Domesday), who won the G3 Thousand Guineas Prelude and Listed Gold Coast Bracelet and placed in the G1 Champagne S. and seven other stakes races.
The second dam of Disputes is the Group 2 winner Royal Accord (Imperial Prince {Ire}), a half-sister to the South African Group 1 performer Karaka One (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).
In 2018 and 2019, Disputes has produced fillies by Iffraaj (GB), who shuttles to Haunui Farm in New Zealand.
