Cover image courtesy of Race Images
Ellerslie, G1 Zabeel Classic, NZ$200,000, 2000m
Race summary
Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel) crowned an outstanding preparation when she came from last with a sustained finish to produce a career-best performance.
She has won both the G2 Tauranga S. and G3 Thompson H. and was runner-up in the G1 Captain Cook S. in her lead-up appearance.
The 6-year-old relished the step up to 2000 metres at Ellerslie to mow down Supera (NZ) (Savabeel) with In A Twinkling (Fastnet Rock) third ahead of Rock On Wood (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), who was blocked for a run in the straight.
Pedigree notes
Raced by breeder Joan Egan, Concert Hall and is the 21st individual Group 1 winner for Waikato Stud’s Savabeel.
The mare is a daughter of Classic Legacy (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}), who won four races and is out of the juvenile winner and stakes performer Super Sound (NZ) (Sound Reason {Can}).
She is a sister to the multiple black-type winner Super Sequel (NZ) and Ultra Sound (NZ), the dam of the two-time Group 1 winner Tartan Tights (NZ) (Tights {USA}), and a half-sister to the G1 South Australian Oaks winner Lee’s Bid (NZ) (Tawfiq {USA}). She produced the dual Group 1 winner and sire Arena (NZ).
Ellerslie, G2 Eight Carat Classic, NZ$100,000, 1600m
Race summary
The Jamie Richards-trained Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) won her maiden at her previous appearance on the track in such good style that it was no surprise to see her demolish her stakes rivals.
She was given a patient ride by Opie Bosson back in the field and she swung widest into the straight.
When rider Opie Bosson asked her to hit top gear the response was electric and the filly surged clear for a hollow victory.
Fleetwood Macca (NZ) (Rock ‘N’ Pop) was on the leader’s quarters throughout and fought on gallantly for second with Moana (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) coming on well for third ahead of Needle And Thread (Makfi {GB}).
Pedigree notes
The Waikato Stud-bred and sold Amarelinha completed a black-type double for Savabeel and Richards following the earlier success of Brando (NZ).
Amarelinha was bought at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale by Te Akau’s David Ellis for NZ$300,000 and is out of the unraced O'Reilly (NZ) mare Hopscotch (NZ).
She is a half-sister to the four-time Group 1 winner Metal Bender (NZ) (Danasinga) and the family of the Group 1 winner and producer Keeper.
Ellerslie, Listed Hallmark Stud H., NZ$60,000, 1200m
Race summary
Vamos Bebe (I Am Invincible) was racing well out of her grade, but she handled a rise in class in style to win for the third time in her six-start career.
The 4-year-old settled midfield and once rider Danielle Johnson found clear air with the mare who rounded off strongly in the run home for an all-important black-type success.
Vigor Winner (Declaration Of War {USA}) finished well to take the runner-up position and Madam Hass (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) got home nicely for third.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Segenhoe Stud, Vamos Bebe is yet another black-type success story for Yarraman Park’s champion resident I Am Invincible and was a $200,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase for bloodstock agent Paul Willetts on behalf of Trelawney Stud.
She is a daughter of the G1 Myer Classic winner Hurtle Myrtle (Dane Shadow), who is the dam of four winners including Holyfield (I Am Invincible), successful twice at Group 3 level.
Hurtle Myrtle is out of a half-sister to the Listed Chairman’s S. winner Whisper Bay (Royal Academy {USA}) and the family of the G3 Magic Millions Plate winner He’ll Haunt Us (Time For War).
Ellerslie, Listed Uncle Remus S., NZ$60,000, 1400m
Race summary
Warm favourite Brando (NZ) (Savabeel) was caught wide early before rider Opie Bosson was able to slot in one off the fence in midfield.
The colt settled well and was angled into the clear at the top of the straight and quickly put his rivals to the sword to set up a crack at next month’s G1 Levin Classic.
The Irishman (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) turned in an eye-catching run by coming from the tail of the field for second and Illumination (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) also finding the line well for third.
Pedigree notes
Brando was bred by Fairdale Stud and failed to meet his NZ$200,000 reserve at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale before he was purchased by Te Akau’s David Ellis out of Riversley Park’s Ready To Run Sale draft for NZ$500,000.
He is a son of the dual winner Saoirse (Iffraaj {GB}) and the family of the Group 1-winning siblings Headturner (Anabaa {USA}) and Anacheeva.
Te Akau has enjoyed outstanding success with the progeny of Savabeel, among them the Group 1 winners Embellish (NZ), Sword Of Osman (NZ) and Hall Of Fame (NZ).
Wingatui, Listed Hazlett S., NZ$50,000, 1200m
Race summary
Cambridge trainer Daniel Miller made a long trek south to Wingatui with Sheezallmine (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) to chase black type with the mare and it ended in perfect fashion.
The 5-year-old was given an economical run behind the pace by Chris Johnson and they took a rails run at the top of the straight to hit the front and then eased clear to win with authority.
Tobilicious (NZ) (Natural Destiny) raced toward the back of the field and produced a sustained run for second with the genuine Khimar War (Sweet Orange {USA}) next home to add to his list of minor placings.
Pedigree notes
Sheezallmine won the G3 Stewards’ H. last season to become the third black-type winner for her Hallmark Stud-based sire Super Easy (NZ).
The mare is out of Bast (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and was purchased for just NZ$1000 by the Dreamers’ Syndicate out of Leanach Lodge’s New Zealand Bloodstock Festival Sale draft.
Bast is a half-sister to multiple winners and Group performers Laaffaire (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Dorian Grey (NZ) (Postponed {USA}) and Sheezallmine’s fourth dam is the G2 Surround S. winner Khaptivaan (Adraan {Fr})
