Te Rapa, G1 Herbie Dyke S., NZ$400,000, 2000m
Race summary
Royal Performer (GB) (Medicean {GB}) bridged the gap from a lead-up open handicap success to Group 1 spoils with aplomb.
He raced in behind the leaders near the fence before rider Jonathan Riddell urged him to the front soon after straightening to give co-trainer Bob Vance his first training success at the top level.
The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) showed he was in top order for his upcoming Australian campaign with his effort for second and On The Rocks (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) was third. Favourite Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) copped a chequered run and dropped out to beat one home.
Pedigree notes
Royal Performer is out of the unraced Polish Precedent (USA) mare Quadri (GB) and she has produced seven winners with Eva Kant (GB) (Medicean {GB}) also a stakes placegetter.
Quadri is a half-sister to the Listed Pretty Polly S. winner Fashionable (GB) (Nashwan {USA}), dam of the G3 Silver Flash S. winner Jack Naylor (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}).
The pedigree also features the three-time Group 1 winner Wandesta (GB) (Nashwan {USA}).
Te Rapa, G1 BCD Group Sprint, NZ$200,000, 1400m
Race summary
Avantage (Fastnet Rock) began like a bullet from the outside stall while the second favourite Levante (NZ) (Proisir) missed the jump by at least 6l.
Rider Opie Bosson had Avantage coasting along in second spot and they strode clear to win untested and the seventh Group 1 title of the mare’s career.
Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) took second off Mascarpone (Shooting To Win) in a tight finish with Travelling Light (NZ) (El Roca) fourth and Levante did well to be the next runner home.
Pedigree notes
Avantage was sold on behalf of breeders Willie and Karen Calder at New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sale by The Oaks Stud where she was purchased by Te Akau’s David Ellis for NZ$210,000.
She is a daughter of the Listed Warstep S. winner Asavant (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), who has also produced the multiple winner and stakes performer Asathought (So You Think {NZ}).
Asavant is a half-sister to the G1 HKJC Centenary Cup winner D B Pins (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and they are out of the G3 White Robe Lodge S. and G1 Thorndon Mile runner-up Pins ‘N’ Needles (NZ) (Pins).
Te Rapa, G2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic, NZ$100,000, 2000m
Race summary
Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) was sent out a commanding favourite and enjoyed a good run in the trail behind the leader Needle And Thread (NZ) (Makfi {GB}).
Rider Danielle Johnson was able to clear a pocket 250 metres from home and then bounded clear to win untested.
Slave To Love (NZ) (Savabeel) continued her progression to come off a win in the lower grade to finish second ahead of Needle And Thread, who boxed on gamely.
Pedigree notes
Amarelinha was bred by Waikato Stud and sold by the Matamata farm to David Ellis for NZ$300,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.
She is a daughter of the unraced O’Reilly (NZ) mare Hopscotch (NZ) and she is a half-sister to Metal Bender (NZ) (Danasinga), successful four times at Group 1 level.
It is also notably the family of the G1 Goodwood H. winner Keeper, who sired six individual Group 1 winners.
Te Rapa, G2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas, NZ$100,000, 2000m
Race summary
Tokorangi (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) has been genuine throughout her career and the step up to a middle distance brought out the best in the filly.
She settled behind the leading division and when rider Andrew Calder angled her into the clear she proved too good.
Zee Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) kicked on strongly after being in front at the top of the straight with Perfect Scenario (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) third. The favourite Montre Moi (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) came from last to finish fourth.
Pedigree notes
Tokorangi was purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables for NZ$30,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale where she was offered by Bradbury park.
She is a daughter of Agent Ziva (NZ) (Savabeel), successful five times up to 1400 metres, and is a half-sister to the multiple winner and Group performer Maz Quin (NZ) (D’Cash), who also won and was a black-type placegetter in Hong Kong as Regency Dragon.
Tokorangi is the eighth individual stakes winner for her Westbury Stud-based sire Redwood (GB), whose leading representative is the G1 Captain Cook S. winner Rock On Wood (NZ).
