Te Rapa, G2 Cal Isuzu S., NZ$100,000, 1600m
Race summary
Showoroses (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) produced a commanding front-running performance to leave no excuses for the beaten brigade.
She jumped quickly from the outside gate for rider Vinnie Colgan to cross the field and, after skipping clear on straightening, she never showed any sign of flagging to win with ease.
The favourite Supera (NZ) (Savabeel) made ground gamely for second with Supreme Heights (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) boxing on for third after racing on the pace.
Pedigree notes
Co-bred by part-owner Peter Walker, Showoroses credited her sire Showcasing (GB), who formerly shuttled to Haunui Farm, with his ninth Southern Hemisphere Group winner.
Showoroses is a daughter of Rodrigo Rose (NZ) (Rodrigo De Triano {USA}) who was a gifted mare and won six races including the G3 Cuddle S. and was twice Group 1-placed.
She is out of Rosebrook (Vain) and her 10 career wins featured two victories at Listed level and is the only other black type winner within the first two generations of this pedigree.
Te Rapa, G3 Skycity Waikato Cup, NZ$100,000, 2400m
Race summary
An aggressive ride by apprentice Callum Jones on Ocean Billy (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) was rewarded with the first black type win of his fledgling career.
He settled the 5-year-old in the first half-dozen before making a move 1000 metres out to go to the front and the gelding never shirked his task in the straight to repel all challenges.
The favourite Savvy Yong Blanc (NZ) (Savabeel) got home well for second and Sherrif (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) produced a sustained run from well back to finish third.
Pedigree notes
Ocean Billy, who credited his sire Ocean Park (NZ) with his 12 individual black type winners, was bred by part-owner and trainer Bill Pomare and Kirkwall Thoroughbreds.
He is out of Cool Storm (NZ) (One Cool Cat {USA}), who was successful in the Listed Newmarket H. and finished runner-up in the G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ S.
She is a daughter of the Listed Rotorua S. winner Flying Free (NZ) (Heroicity) with Listed Ag & Turf Sprint winner Shinko Bay (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}) the only other galloper in the first two generations to have won at black type level.
Te Rapa, G3 J Swap Sprint, NZ$70,000, 1400m
Race summary
Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) came into the race in good form having finished runner-up in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint and the mare went one better in style.
She settled toward the back of the field for rider Samantha Collett and wound up powerfully in the straight for the sixth win of her 10-start career.
The favourite Prise De Fer (NZ) (Savabeel) was given every chance by Opie Bosson and he boxed on strongly for second with Vigor Winner (Declaration Of War {USA}) winding up late to take third money.
Pedigree notes
The Robbie Patterson-trained Coventina Bay became the fifth individual black type winner for her sire and second at Group 3 level following Embrace Me’s (NZ) Typhoon Tracy S. success.
Bred by EVB Ltd and offered by Windsor Park Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale where she failed to meet her NZ$20,000 reserve, Coventina Bay is a daughter of the High Chaparral (Ire) mare Coventina (NZ), who won three races.
The third dam is the dual Group 1 winner Nimue (NZ) (Star Way {GB}) and she is a sister to the G1 Wellington Cup winner Smiling Like (NZ) and to the dual Group 3 winner Eurostar (NZ). Their half-sister Sirstaci (NZ) (Silver Dream {GB}) won the G1 Easter H.
Awapuni, Listed Lawnmaster Eulogy S., NZ$70,000, 1600m
Race summary
Whimsical (NZ) (Savabeel) came into the race off the back of a maiden success at her second appearance and she handled a rise in class with ease.
A strapping filly prepared by Stephen Marsh, she sat on the leader’s quarters to the turn and in a driving finish gained the upper hand.
Love For All (Love Conquers All) made the running and she rallied strongly under pressure to finish runner-up with Signora Nera (NZ) (Sweynesse) arriving late for third.
Pedigree notes
Whimsical was offered at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale by Little Avondale Stud and signed for at NZ$240,000 by bloodstock agent Bruce Perry.
A daughter of Waikato Stud’s multiple champion stallion Savabeel, she is out the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare Chanel’s Choice and she is a half-sister to the G1 Coolmore Classic winner Steps In Time (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
Their dam Rare Insight (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) won the G2 Stan Fox S. and is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), whose half-brother Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}) also won twice at the highest level.
Morphettville, Listed Adelaide Galvanising Christmas H., $102,550, 1200m
Race summary
Savatoxl (Kuroshio) brought up his 14th career win, and first at stakes level, as he lead from point to post to win for Tony and Calvin McEvoy.
Jumping from an inside barrier, the gelding drove through to go straight to the front and went at a solid pace throughout, before kicking away at the 300 metre mark and toughed out the finish to win by 0.5l.
Music Addition (Your Song) gave good chase but couldn’t get past Savatoxl, while favourite Too Good Too Hard (All Too Hard) was another 1.1l away in third.
Pedigree notes
Purchased by Alice Springs Turf Club for $8000 at the Inglis VOBIS Gold Yearling Sale from the draft of Stonehouse Thoroughbreds, Savatoxl is one of three winners from five to race out of placed Savabeel mare Li’l Miss Harvey (NZ).
Li’l Miss Harvey is a half-sister to the stakes placed Total Response (Kheleyf {USA}), while this is also the family of Group 3 winners Art Beat (NZ) (Captain Rio {GB}) and Perfect Start (NZ) (Perfectly Ready).
Li’l Miss Harvey has a yearling filly by Needs Further while she returned to the stallion this season.
Savatoxl also becomes the second stakes winner for Kuroshio.
