Rotorua, G3 Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup, NZ$75,000, 2200m
Race summary
The Good Fight (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) gifted former Australian hoop Samantha Collett a stakes victory in her first week back on New Zealand soil. The talented 6-year-old endured a tough run in transit but proved the superior stayer as a result of Collett forcing the issue before the turn and injecting some speed into the race. Collett proceeded to loop the field widest of all runners before cruising to a commanding 3.8l victory down the middle of the track.
Voler Pour Moi (NZ) (Pour Moi {Ire}) worked home from the back of the field to finish second ahead of a commendable Inititave (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}).
Pedigree notes
The Good Fight was a NZ$300,000 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale purchase by Mr SF Ritchie via the draft of Rich Hill Stud.
She is one of 10 raced foals out of New Zealand Group 2 winner and G1 NZ Oaks runner up Pravda (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), making her a half-sister to Listed winner and G1 Coolmore Classic fourth place-getter Pravana (NZ) (Anabaa {USA}).
Pravda herself is a full sibling to G1 Adelaide Cup winner Cronus (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
She also hails from the extended family of three-time Australian Group 1 winner Samantha Miss (Redoute’s Choice).
Pravda’s most recent progeny is colt by Reliable Man (GB) born in 2018, she hasn’t been served since missing to Vadamos (Fr) in 2019.
The Good Fight's sire High Chaparral is responsible for Champion gallopers and star sires Dundeel (NZ) and So You Think (NZ), along with G1 Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling (GB).
Rotorua, G3 Rydges Rotorua S., NZ$70,000, 1400m
Race summary
Pop Star Princess (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) got the chocolates here as a result of a daring front running ride by Jonathan Riddell. The talented hoop went straight to the front aboard the consistent 6-year-old and rated her superbly in doing so. The field spread out right across the rain-affected track but Riddell stuck firm to the inside fence en route to a strong 1.8l success.
Supreme Heights (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) got motoring late towards the outside fence under Lynsey Satherly, while Katie Perrie (NZ) (Rock ‘N’ Pop) finished 0.5l behind the aforementioned Supreme Heights in third.
Pedigree notes
Pop Star Princess was a NZ$4000 2015 NZB National Weanling and Broodmare and Mixed Sale - Weanlings purchase by PJ & SN Calnan Partnership via the draft of Blandford Lodge.
She is out of second foal of the Group 2-placed Queen Of Pop (NZ) (Pins), who herself is out of the Group 3-placed Dame Mapperley (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).
She also hails from the extended family of G1 Kenilworth Cape of Good Hope Derby third place getter Champion Chestnut (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).
Queen Of Pop currently has a weanling filly by Adrossan on the ground along with a yearling colt by Tivaci.
Pop Star Princess’s sire Makfi (GB) has sire three individual Group 1 winners including 2016 Australian Oaks winner Sofia Rosa.
