G2 Thoroughbred Breeders' S., NZ$120,000, 1400m
So game as she was challenged over the final stages, Showoroses (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) did a great job winning her fifth race from 15 starts and her third in stakes company.
One of the 54 stakes winners sired by the former Haunui Farm shuttler Showcasing (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Showoroses is a homebred for the Walker family.
She is the final foal produced by the G3 Cuddle S. winner Rodrigo Rose (NZ) (Rodrigo De Triano {USA}), also dam of the metropolitan winner Concerto (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) and Fullinbloom (NZ) (Fully Fledged {NZ}).
Rodrigo Rose is out of the four times Listed winner Rosebrook (Vain) from the family of the high-class stallion Kaoru Star (Star Kingdom {Ire}).
Showoroses carries three strains of Sir Gaylord (USA) (Turn-To {Ire}) and one of his legendary half-brother Secretariat (USA) (Bold Ruler {USA}), providing four crosses of the great mare Somethingroyal (USA) (Princequillo {Ire}).
G3 Counties Cup, NZ$110,000, 2100m
It was an exciting finish for the David Greene stable cheering home the quinella with Justamaiz (NZ) (Guillotine {NZ}) able to nose out Judy's Song (NZ) (Niagara) over the final stages.
It was the second stakes victory (the G3 Waikato Cup his first) for the big grey and his eighth success from 34 starts.
A homebred for Greene Thoroughbreds, he is one of eight stakes winners for the G2 Feehan S. winner Guillotine (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}). His dam is the two-time winner Arthena (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}) whose nine foals to race have all been winners including the G3 Eclipse S. winner Zabisco (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Arthena is a half-sister to the Group 3-placed Anden (Magic Of Sydney) and to the dam of the dual G1 Toorak H. winner Solzhenitsyn (NZ) (St. Petersburg) from the family of G3 Gosford Cup winner Darbaas (Cossack Warrior).
Justamaiz is bred on a 6 X 7 cross of the wonderful mare Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}).
Listed 2-Year-Old S., NZ$70,000, 1100m
Sent out an odds-on favourite on the back of an impressive trial performance, Bright Blue Sky (Fastnet Rock) won just as her price suggested she would and whilst still a little green she was dominant.
Bred by Katom and purchased by David Ellis and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) for $600,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Bright Blue Sky is stakes winner number 183 for Coolmore Stud's evergreen Fastnet Rock (Danehill {USA}).
Her dam is the Geelong maiden winner Blue Blue Sky (Lonhro), daughter of the stakes-placed Napa Sky (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) whose dam is the stakes-placed Tricia Ann (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Carrying three strains of Sir Tristram (Ire) (Sir Ivor {USA}), Bright Blue Sky hails from one of New Zealand's most prolific families, able to boast amongst her relations the Group 1 gallopers Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Grosvenor (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), National Gallery (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), Mahaya (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), Niello (Octagonal {NZ}), Lankan Rupee (Redoute's Choice) and Lonhro (Octagonal {NZ}).
The latter is Bright Blue Sky's dam sire, her dam being bred on a 4 X 3 cross of the outstanding broodmare My Tricia (NZ) (Hermes {GB}).
Listed Counties Bowl, NZ$70,000, 1100m
There were still three horses in the thick of things with 100 metres to go but over the final stages it was Levante (Proisir) who was able to get the upperhand with the caller declaring that "class prevails".
Already a Group 2 winner of the Westbury Classic, the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained 5-year-old was having her first run since mid-April and she was able to improve on her already impressive record - this success being her eighth from just 12 starts.
One of the six stakes winners sired by Rich Hill Stud's G3 Spring S. winner Proisir, Levante was bred by L Williams. She is the final foal produced by the imported mare Island Doy (GB) (Doyoun {Ire}) who has been represented by another four winners including the stakes placegetters Doyenne (NZ) (Kilimanjaro {GB}) and Miss Isle (NZ) (Bachelor Duke {USA}).
Island Doy is a half-sister to the G3 Courier Mail Classic winner Cryptavia (NZ) (Gold Brose) from the family of G1 French Derby hero Bering (GB) (Arctic Tern {USA}) and the G1 Secretariat S. winner Bayrir (Fr) (Medicean {GB}).
Levante boasts crosses of the prolific mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}), Special (USA) (Forli {Arg}) and Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}).
