Cover image courtesy of Race Images Palmerston North
Trentham, G1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph, NZ$250,000, 1200m
Race summary
Top-class mare Avantage (Fastnet Rock) had won the G1 Railway at her previous appearance and went out at short odds and she never gave her army of supporters any concerns.
The 5-year-old travelled comfortably in the three-wide train with cover in midfield and as soon as rider Danielle Johnson slipped her a little more rein she asserted her superiority and retain her Telegraph title.
Spring Heat (More Than Ready {USA}) came on generously in the closing stages to finish second with Burgundy Belle (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}), a stablemate of the winner, a gallant third.
Pedigree notes
Avantage was offered on behalf of breeders Willie and Karen Calder at New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sale by The Oaks Stud and knocked down to 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).
Trentham, G1 Devan Plastics Levin Classic, NZ$225,000, 1600m
Race summary
Bonham's (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) only prior defeat was in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton where she finished seventh off a wide run.
She was again caught three deep early on in the Levin Classic before rider Lisa Allpress pushed forward to land one off the fence.
Bonham hit the front halfway down the straight and she stayed on strongly to beat Brando (NZ) (Savabeel), who was bumped on straightening and finished off well to cut Wild Moose (NZ) (Nadeem) out of third.
Pedigree notes
Bonham is the fourth individual Group 1 winner sired by Little Avondale Stud’s Per Incanto (USA) following the successes of Shadows Cast (NZ), Santa Monica (NZ) and Dal Cielo (NZ).
The Masterton nursery also bred this filly and she was bought out of their New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale draft by Gary Harding for NZ$160,000.
She is the first race day representative for the Redoute’s Choice mare Fortune’s Choice and she is a half-sister to the Listed Oaklands Plate winner Eagle Island (Fastnet Rock).
She is out of the Listed Aspiration H. and G1 Arrowfield Stud S. runner-up Banc De Fortune (Galileo {Ire}), a half-sister to the dam of the three-time Group 1 winner Faint Perfume (Shamardal {USA}).
Trentham, G3 Dixon & Dunlop Trentham S., NZ$70,000, 2100m
Race summary
This was an exciting contest set up by last year’s winner Camino Rocoso (NZ) (Shocking), who was out by 20l nearing the home turn.
However, he got the stitch soon after and Our Hail Mary (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) came sailing down the outside and black-type success at her second attempt.
Fiscal Fantasy (Skilled) came from the back for second and the South Island visitor Dr Velocious (NZ) (Haradasun) was third ahead of a tired Camino Rocoso.
Pedigree notes
Our Hail Mary was bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan and was offered by Cambridge Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sale.
She was knocked down for NZ$35,000 to trainer and part-owner Allan Sharrock and is out of Repenting (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}), a winner and runner-up in the Listed Soliloquy S. She is a half-sister to the four-time Group 1 winner Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}).
Our Hail Mary is the 13th black-type winner sired by Waikato Stud’s Ocean Park (NZ), whose top representatives to date have been the Group 1 winners Kolding (NZ) and Tofane (NZ).
Trentham, G3 Wellington Seamarket Anniversary H., NZ$70,000, 1600m
Race summary
Super Strike (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) continued his excellent winning strike rate when he posted the fifth win of his nine-start career and first at black-type level.
The 4-year-old relaxed well in midfield on the fence and once rider Andrew Calder was able to get him out and into the middle of the track, the gelding rounded off strongly.
Sacred Elixir (NZ) (Pour Moi {Ire}) showed he was close to a return to winning form following an injury-forced break with his bold run for second and Guillada (NZ) (Guillotine {NZ}), who raced outside the leader, was game in third.
Race summary
The fourth black-type winner for Hallmark Stud stallion Super Easy (NZ), Super Strike is raced by breeder Janet Hepi and is out of the Stark South (USA) mare Southern Touch (NZ).
He is the first winner for the dam and she is out of a sister to the G2 Villiers S. winner Touch of Fore (NZ) (Touching Wood {USA}), who was also twice placed at Listed level.
There are no other black type winners in the first three generations, although Milton Magic (NZ) (Famous Star {USA}) went close when runner-up in the G3 Eclipse S. and he was third in the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S.
Trentham, Listed IRT No.1 Wellesley S., NZ$50,000, 1000m
Race summary
Quattro Quinta (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) provided rider Danielle Johnson with her 100th winner of the season with a gallant display.
The gelding doubled his tally following a debut victory and jumped well to make the running and he responded well under pressure when hotly pursued in the straight.
Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini {NZ}) issued a stern challenge 200 metres from home, but Quatro Quinta found more to carry the day and Magneto (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) boxed on well for third.
Pedigree notes
Quattro Quinta was co-bred by Nearco Stud and Te Akau’s Karyn Fenton-Ellis and is a son of the 2-year-old winner Quintette (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}).
She is a daughter of the G2 New Zealand Cup winner Everswindell (NZ) (Align), who also ran second in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas and third in the G1 Wellington Cup.
Quattro Quinta is the 26th individual black-type winner for his The Oaks Stud-based sire Darci Brahma (NZ), who has produced 11 individual Group 1 winners headed by Recite (NZ), Nashville (NZ) and Julinsky Prince, all twice successful at the top level.
Flemington, Listed Kensington S., $140,000, 1000m
Race summary
Western Australia mare Fabergino (Maschino) looks set for a tilt at the G1 Black Caviar Lightning S. after bringing up her second win down the 1000 metres of the Flemington straight here.
Ridden by regular jockey Jordan Childs, Fabergino dictated terms of the race in the lead and just kept going, eventually winning by 1.25l.
Consistent mare Sword Of Mercy (Sebring) scored second while Pandemic (Sepoy) stormed home to finish another 0.4l away in third.
Pedigree notes
Fabergino is a daughter of Miss Razyana (Danzero), who won four races and all of her foals to race have been successful.
She is a half-sister to the black-type performers Pedro’s Tycoon (Just Awesome) and Man Of Oar (Oarsman).
Their dam is a sister to the G1 Coolmore Classic winner Camino Rose (Sea Road) and the Group 3 winners Twitchy Frank (Choisir) and Lubiton (Snitzel) also feature on the pedigree page.
Miss Razyana foaled a brother to Fabergino last year and was again served by Maschino in October.
