Cover image courtesy of Auckland Racing
As The Thoroughbred Report has done with the Group 1 juvenile races held in Australia and New Zealand, in this edition TTR AusNZ will recap the Group 1 victors and victresses of the 3-year-old features in New Zealand - typically a very strong division, with this season no different.
The comet
Danny Walker and Arron Tata’s chestnut gelding Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) blazed through five starts, winning among them the G2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial S and G3 Northland Breeders’ S.
Crocetti (NZ) pictured with trainers Danny Walker (left) and Arron Arron Tata, and owner-breeder Daniel Nakhle | Image courtesy of Race Images South
Lining up for his sixth career start in the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas, some held reservations over whether the son of Zacinto (GB) was capable of stretching his brilliance to the mile of the 3-year-old Classic.
However, as he had done on five previous occasions, Crocetti rose to the occasion and showed the mile was no trouble, defeating Talisker (NZ) (Embellish {NZ}) and To Catch A Thief (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}).
Freshened up, Crocetti contested and won the G3 Almanzor Trophy over 1200 metres, setting him up for a second tilt at Group 1 glory in the G1 BCD Sprint over 1400 metres. It was the first time the 3-year-old tasted defeat, but he was far from disgraced, beaten only by Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}).
“Crocetti blazed through five starts, winning among them the G2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial S and G3 Northland Breeders’ S.”
Bred by Daniel Nakhle, Crocetti is the third Group 1 winner for the late Dansili (GB) stallion Zacinto. He is the third foal from Nakhle’s O’Reilly (NZ) mare Gracehill (NZ), a dual winner and half-sister to the admirable Crosshaven (Smart Missile).
Gracehill foaled a filly by Darley’s Brazen Beau and was served by Rich Hill Stud’s Champion Sire Proisir last spring.
Molly blooms in Guineas
Underlining her toughness and talent, Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) progressed from a debut third at Avondale in April to a Group 1 winner five starts later in November.
Trained by the Matamata-based trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, Molly Bloom came into the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas off a fourth-place finish in the G2 Soliloquy S. at Auckland.
With Joe Doyle in the saddle, Molly Bloom defeated her last-start conqueror, Impendabelle (Impending), and Tulsi (The Autumn Sun) by 1l. Following her Guineas success, Molly Bloom went on to win the G2 Eight Carat Classic and the G2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic.
Purchased by the Australian-based Ozzie Kheir and connections, Molly Bloom competed at the Queensland winter carnival, with her best effort being a second-place finish in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet. It is believed Molly Bloom will join the Chris Waller stable; however, Racing Australia still lists her in the traineeship of O’Sullivan and Scott.
Molly Bloom is the first Group 1 winner for G1 VRC Derby and G1 Spring Champion S. hero Ace High, who stands at Rich Hill Stud. The filly is the first foal from the Iffraaj (GB) mare Dancilla (NZ), a relative of the great Champion Rough Habit (NZ) (Roughcast {USA}).
“Underlining her toughness and talent, Molly Bloom progressed from a debut third at Avondale in April to a Group 1 winner five starts later in November.”
Dancilla’s next foal is a 2-year-old full sister to Molly Bloom, and she was served by the Group 1-producing sire Contributer (Ire).
Molly Bloom was a NZ$150,000 purchase by Wexford Stables from the draft of Seaton Park at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
A symphony in the Derby
The beautifully bred Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) joined recent female winners of the G1 New Zealand Derby, Habibi (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}) (2013), and Silent Achiever (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) in 2012.
Trained by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, Orchestral showcased her class in the G2 Avondale Guineas and the R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic before her New Zealand Derby triumph.
Multiple Group-One winning filly Orchestral (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Sent to Australia for the autumn campaign, Orchestral tackled the 2000 metres of the G1 Vinery Stud S. at Rosehill and secured a courageous victory. By the time the G1 Australian Oaks arrived, Orchestral, although nearing the end of her preparation, displayed tenacity and a strong will when third behind top-class fillies Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun) and Zardozi (Kingman {GB}).
Orchestral was a NZ$625,000 purchase by her trainers from the draft of Haunui Farm at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Sale. She is the second foal from the Group 3-placed O’Reilly (NZ) mare Symphonic (NZ).
Symphonic’s Savabeel colt was sold to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for NZ$310,000 at this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale and returned to Waikato Stud’s Champion Sire in the spring.
Quintessa: Consistent and talented
Te Akau Racing’s Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) proved to be one of the most consistent and toughest campaigners of her generation, culminating in a well-deserved victory in the G1 Levin Classic, a testament to her talent as a daughter of Rosemont Stud’s Shamus Award.
She debuted as a winner at Pukekohe and followed up with victories in her first three starts, including the G3 Gold Trail S. She then placed second in the G2 Auckland Guineas before bouncing back to claim the G1 Levin Classic. After her Group 1 success, Quintessa finished fourth in the G1 BCD Sprint over 1400 metres before heading to Australia.
Quintessa (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
In Melbourne, Quintessa contested the G1 Australian Guineas, finishing fourth, and then placed second in the G2 Alister Clark over 2040 metres. Her campaign concluded with a commendable fourth-place finish in the G1 Australian Oaks over 2400 metres.
Quintessa is the third foal and best performer from Chaquinta (NZ), a five-time winner by High Chaparral (Ire). She has an unraced 2-year-old gelding by Preferment (NZ) named Costanza (NZ) and a yearling by the same stallion. Chaquinta foaled a colt by King Of Comedy (Ire) and was served by Per Incanto (USA) last spring.
The daughter of Shamus Award was purchased for NZ$170,000 by David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) from the draft of Wentwood Grange at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Sale.
