Written by Richard Edmunds
Cover image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
In the most anticipated 2-year-old race of the New Zealand season so far, two sets of Australian owners went to war – both on the racetrack and in the stewards’ room.
The G2 First Global Logistics Eclipse S. at Ellerslie brought together some of the standout formlines of New Zealand’s juvenile season to date.
The favourite was Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci), an impressive winner of both of her previous starts including the G2 Wakefield Challenge S. at Te Rapa last month. A majority share in the flying filly was bought by Australian Bloodstock following her debut victory at Otaki in November.
Wolverine (NZ) winning at Otaki | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
But the eight-horse field also featured black-type performers Mascarinto (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) and Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}), plus another three last-start winners including Te Akau Racing’s highly rated I Choose You (I Am Invincible).
Wolverine raced in mid-pack for jockey Danielle Johnson, then scythed through the field in what looked like a winning move early in the home straight.
But she was quickly joined on her inside by the emerald green and blue colours of Swettenham Stud, carried by the improving last-start winner Pacific Dragon (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) and jockey Michael McNab.
Pacific Dragon (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The two fillies fought out a head-bobbing finish, which Pacific Dragon won by 0.1l. But the siren sounded almost immediately, with the connections of the runner-up lodging a protest after Pacific Dragon drifted out significantly through the last 200 metres and forced Wolverine wider. Their protest was upheld and the result reversed, handing Wolverine the second Group 2 victory of her three-start career.
“Wolverine sprinted hard when she got the gap, and she’s still quite green and will take improvement from racing at Ellerslie today,” Danielle Johnson said.
“Wolverine sprinted hard when she got the gap, and she’s still quite green and will take improvement from racing at Ellerslie today.” - Danielle Johnson
Wolverine was bred by Waikato Stud, who offered the filly at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka. She was bought for NZ$50,000 by trainer Roydon Bergerson in partnership with part-owner Chris Rutten.
“I was pretty certain when we saw the replay that the decision would go our way,” Bergerson said. “Danielle said the way she was finishing, it probably cost her a length – she was closing very strongly.
“It’s great to have the decision go our way. Today was an important race for her breeding career further down the track, while it also gave her a really good look around Ellerslie before the Karaka Million in three weeks.”
Wolverine (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The R. Listed Karaka Million 2YO at Ellerslie on January 22 is also the target for the Qatar Bloodstock-bred Pacific Dragon, who Henry Dwyer Racing bought for NZ$70,000 from Windsor Park Stud’s draft at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka.
“She’s a really tough filly who’s improving all the time,” trainer Tony Pike said. “She’s hard to get past and very genuine.
“The Karaka Million was always the intention, and it’s great to pick up some black type along the way – especially since this was probably the strongest Eclipse field we’ve had for quite a while.”
