Cover image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Race-Day Recap
Talented jockey Sam Spratt continued her brilliant form on Sunday. After winning the G1 Telegraph on Saturday at Trentham with the Stephen Marsh-trained Mercurial (Burgundy), the duo combined on Sunday at Ellerslie with the unbeaten Merchant Queen (Merchant Navy).
So Naive (U S Navy Flag) could be R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO bound after winning the Stella Artois 2YO at Ellerslie on Sunday.
U S Navy Flag, a resident of The Oaks Stud, sired two progressive winners on Sunday’s Ellerslie card, including the 2-year-old winner So Naive and Fortunate Son, who defeated a class field in the third.
Star mare Legarto (Proisir) returned to New Zealand with a bang, running out an easy winner of the Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic at Ellerslie.
Progressive stayer Renegade Rebel (El Roca) found the front in the Listed Gingernuts Salver S. at Ellerslie on Sunday and stayed there to record his maiden stakes success.
Scene set at Ellerslie
The much-anticipated return to racing at Ellerslie occurred on Sunday, with the picturesque Auckland-based track conducting a program of six races in a triumphant return. Ellerslie had been out of action since March 2022 due to the NZ$55 million renovation of the Ellerslie racecource track, but its return had seen many industry professionals wax lyrical about the quality of the new surface.
The premier track is on track to host New Zealand’s richest raceday, the all-important Karaka Millions meeting on Saturday, January 27.
Legarto back with a bang
Star mare Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) returned to her native land with a bang on Sunday. The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained 4-year-old had not been sighted since being unplaced in the Golden Eagle at Rosehill.
Lining up Ellerslie in the Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic Preview, Legarto, with her regular partner Ryan Elliot, in the saddle defeated an in-form Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) by 2l.
Finishing third was multiple Group 1 victor Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), who was also resuming from a 106-day spell.
Legarto was back to her brilliant best in the event and now may chase a rich carrot in the inaugural NZ$1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic back at Ellerslie on January 27.
Elliot told local media, “Legarto hit a little flat spot again, which she sometimes does, but the way she sprinted off that track in the straight was a great feeling. The turn of foot was instant,”
“Legarto hit a little flat spot again, which she sometimes does, but the way she sprinted off that track in the straight was a great feeling. The turn of foot was instant.” - Ryan Elliot
“It was good for her to come here today (Sunday) and have a look around Ellerslie. She’s still on her way up, and this will clean her up nicely. I think she’ll be peaking at the right time.”
Co-trainer Ken Kelso said, “We’re very pleased, and I think we’re on track for the million-dollar race here on Karaka Millions night. Legarto will have an easy week, and then we’ll ramp up again after that. It’s been a trouble-free preparation. So far, everything’s gone to plan, and let’s hope that continues.”
Legarto was a NZ$90,000 purchase by Ancroft Stud from the draft of Highline Thoroughbreds at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
The daughter of Proisir is from the Towkay mare Geordie Girl (NZ). She is back in foal to Rich Hill Stud’s Champion Sire.
Gallery: Legarto wins the Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic Preview
Geordie Girl won twice and was fourth in the Listed Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. However, she is a full sister to the Listed Canterbury S. winner Rapid Kay (NZ), who was also placed in the G1 Captain Cook S. Geordie Girl is also a half-sister to the multiple Listed victress Kekova (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}).
The Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic Preview was the eighth victory from 11 starts for Legarto, who has won in such races as the G1 Australian Guineas, the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas, and the G2 Eight Carat Classic.
Rebel runs them into the ground
A front-running ride saw Renegade Rebel (NZ) (El Roca) take out the Listed Gingernuts Salver S. at Ellerslie on Sunday over 2100 metres.
The Cody Cole-trained galloper, ridden by Matthew Cameron, defeated High Country (NZ) (Mongolian Khan), ridden by Wiremu Pinn, and the Andrew Forsman-trained Rebecchi (Trapaze Artist) with Sam Weatherley in the saddle.
Cole was training his second stakes winner, with both coming at Ellerslie. Cole’s first stakes winner came with Astor (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) in the 2018 Listed Mufhasa S.
“This is just a great feeling,” Cole told local media. “The horse was able to have quite a soft time out in front today (Sunday).”
“Renegade Rebel is a horse that just keeps improving. He joined our stable after winning a trial in the early spring, and this was only his third race for us. We’re trying to figure him out as we go. But he was really tough in his maiden win last, and it was another good, tough win today.”
Renegade Rebel will likely follow a path towards the G1 New Zealand Derby on March 2.
Renegade Rebel (NZ) takes out the Listed Gingernuts Salver S. at Ellerslie | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
The gelding is from Duelled mare Regalia (NZ), who won five races. She hails from the family of the Group 3 winners Trump (Written Tycoon) and Run Harry Run (Written Tycoon). Renegade Rebel was a NZ$40,000 purchase by DJ Miller from the draft of Westbury Stud at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Flag hoisted at Ellerslie
The Oak Stud-based U S Navy Flag (USA) enjoyed an outstanding Sunday with the return of racing to Ellerslie. Fortunate Son (NZ) from the Andrew Forsman stable followed on the back of So Naive (NZ) saluting in the second for the juveniles.
Contesting the Bent Down On One Knee Ben Masters 3YO over 1500 metres, ridden by Joe Doyle, Fortunate Son stuck hard against the rail, predominantly controlling the race as the competitive field entered the home straight.
Credit to the Ellerslie course, the winner looked possible to come from anywhere, with Tulsi (The Autumn Sun) and The Weapon (NZ) (Shocking) making runs out wide as Talisker (NZ) (Embellish {NZ}) came from the centre. However, Fortunate Sun kicked hard as Tulsi and Talisker filled second and third.
Fortunate Son is from the Pins mare Pinstripe (NZ). She is a half-sister to Firebolt (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), a victor of the G2 Shannon S. and the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup. His third dam, Kailey (NZ) (Festal), won six races, including the G1 Railway.
U S Navy Flag (USA) | Standing at The Oaks Stud
The gelding was a NZ$70,000 purchase by Aspen Thoroughbreds from the draft of Curraghmore at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.
Karaka Millions bid for Naive colt?
Progressive 2-year-old So Naive (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) may have just booked himself a spot in the rich NZ$1 million R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO with a successful audition at Ellerslie on Sunday.
The son of The Oaks Stud’s U S Navy Flag is trained by Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley. Ridden by Michael McNab on Sunday, he defeated Te Akau Racing’s Maracatu (NZ) (Ardrossan) and the Steven Cole-trained Hard Attack (NZ) (All Too Hard).
So Naive, a NZ$37,500 purchase by Wallace Thoroughbreds, was consigned by Kilgravin Lodge from the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale. He was lining up for his third start at Ellerslie after winning and making a successful debut at Pukekohe Park in October. Then he returned to the venue, finishing fourth behind the classy Bellatrix Star (Star Witness) in the G2 Eclipse S.
The colt is the third foal from the Bernardini (USA) mare Altai Rose (NZ). She was fourth in the Listed Star Way S. at Waikato and is a half-sister to the six-time winner Natch (NZ) (Thorn Park).
So Naive (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
So Naive’s second dam, Tamnia (GB) (Green Desert {GB}), was a classy juvenile, winning twice as a 2-year-old, including the Listed Sandown Star S. and placed in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. at the Curragh.
Queen provides Spratt a memorable 24 hours
Jockey Sam Spratt has had a memorable 24 hours; after partnering with the Stephen Marsh-trained Mercurial (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) to success in the G1 Telegraph at Trentham on Saturday, the talented horsewoman was back in the saddle on Sunday at Ellerlise’s return meeting. Combining with Marsh again, Spratt hopped in the saddle of the unbeaten Merchant Queen (Merchant Navy) in the opening event over 1200 metres.
Merchant Queen took her record to a perfect three, defeating the Snitzel-sired pair of Ethereal Star and My Amie Belle (NZ). Those two boast some serious relations, with Ethereal Star being from the Makfi (GB) mare Eleonora (NZ), who won the G3 Ethereal S. and is related to the Champion mare Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm {USA}). My Amie Belle is a half-sister to the 14-time Group 1 victress Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands).
Merchant Queen herself carries a pedigree full of black type. She is a daughter of the O’Reilly (NZ) mare O’Reilly Cyrus (NZ), a victress of four races. O’Reilly Cyrus is a half-sister to the stakes winners Seize The Moment (NZ) (Pins) and Savour The Moment (NZ) (Savabeel).
The pedigree features in the first few generations Butterscotch (NZ) (Gold Brose), the Champion Older Female Sprinter in New Zealand and the G2 Theo Marks S. victor Mackintosh (NZ) (Pins).
Mercurial (NZ) succeeds in the G1 Telegraph at Trentham | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Further down the page, the Anabaa (USA)-sired Group 1 winners Headturner and Anacheeva. Alongside the stakes winners, O’Marilyn (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) and O’President (Fastnet Rock).
Merchant Queen was a $180,000 purchase by Stephen Marsh Racing from the draft of Ridgmont Farm at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
