Cover image courtesy of Race Images - Peter Rubery
Otaki: G1 WFA Classic, NZ$300,000, 1600m
So tough in demanding conditions, Levante (NZ) (Proisir) cemented her place as one of New Zealand's very best - this win her fourth at Group 1 level.
One of the 11 stakes winners for her in-form Rich Hill Stud-based sire, Levante was bred by L Williams. She is the final foal produced by the imported mare Island Doy (GB) (Doyoun {Ire}) who has been represented by another four winners including the stakes placegetters Doyenne (NZ) (Kilimanjaro {GB}) and Miss Isle (NZ) (Bachelor Duke {USA}).
Both of those mares are also doing the job at stud - the former producing last year's G1 Manawatu Sires' Produce S. winner Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) and the latter last year's Listed Castletown S. winner Sophmaze (NZ) (Derryn).
Island Doy is a half-sister to the G3 Courier Mail Classic winner Cryptavia (NZ) (Gold Brose) from the family of G1 French Derby hero Bering (GB), the G1 Secretariat S winner Bayrir (Fr) (Medicean {GB}) and last year's G2 Brisbane Cup winner Irish Sequel (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).
Levante boasts crosses of the prolific mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}), Special (USA) (Forli {Arg}) and Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}).
Matamata: G2 Matamata Breeders' S., NZ$120,000, 1200m
Remaining undefeated after two starts, Zourion (NZ) (Zoustar) is a filly of considerable promise.
Bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds, she was sold by them to David Ellis for NZ$475,000 at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
The 34th stakes winner for her Widden Stud-based sire, she is out of the two-time Group-placed Irion (NZ) (Danroad) who has also produced the multiple city winner Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
Visiting Super Seth in the two seasons since producing Zourion, Irion is out of the Group 2 mare Dopff (NZ) (Tights {USA}) who is ancestress of another 11 stakes winners.
G3 Matamata Slipper, NZ$85,000, 1200m
Impressive winning his fourth race from as many starts, Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) looks set for even bigger glory as he heads to the G1 Manawatu Sires' Produce S. as a worthy favourite.
Bred by Rich Hill Thoroughbreds and sold through their draft to David Ellis for NZ$125,000 at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale, Tokyo Tycoon is one of the three stakes winners for the farm's G1 Yasuda Kinen-winning shuttler, a son of the great Deep Impact (Jpn).
A half-brother to the Caulfield winner Syd's Coin (Denman), Tokyo Tycoon is out of the three-time provincial Victorian winner All About The Coin (Starcraft {NZ}), half-sister to the stakes winners Messene (Lonhro) and Cordero (Gio Ponti {USA}).
In 2022 paying a return visit to Satono Aladdin (Jpn) (the result yet to be recorded online), All About The Coin has a Vadamos (Fr) yearling filly.
Tokyo Tycoon hails from the same family as today's G2 Guy Walter S. winner Hope In Your Heart (Dundeel {NZ}) - both horses descendants of Zabeel's (NZ) dam Lady Giselle (Fr) (Nureyev {USA}).
Listed Kaimai S., NZ$65,000, 2000m
Colorado Star (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) broke through for his first stakes win at seven and he made it two in a row with a daring ride seeing him take off to the lead from the 600 metres.
One of the 21 stakes winners for his four-time Group 1-winning sire, a son of O'Reilly (NZ), Colorado Star was bred by W J Gleeson. He is one of the six winners (from seven to race) for the stakes-placed, five-time winner Elegant Emerald (Unbridled's Song {USA}) who died in 2018.
A half-sister to the G1 New Zealand Oaks runner-up Blanket Bay (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), Elegant Emerald also produced the G3 Winter Cup winner Ritani (NZ) (Makfi {GB}). Colorado Star is her second last foal, her last being the two-time winning 5-year-old Heidi Belle (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}).
Bred on a 5 X 4 cross of the great Mill Reef (USA) with duplications of the G1 Kentucky Oaks heroine Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}), Colorado Star is a descendant of the influential G1 English 1000 Guineas winner Picture Play (GB) (Donatello II {Fr}).
