Cover image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Trentham will host New Zealand’s final classic race for 3-year-olds this season, as a field of talented staying fillies take to the famed “champagne turf” in pursuit of Group 1 glory over 2400 metres in the G1 New Zealand Oaks.
Fillies in form are hard to beat
Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) has long been the standout contender for this prestigious race and remains the commanding $1.30 favourite to claim victory in her ultimate season target. The exceptional Derryn filly has met every Group race challenge set for her during a stellar campaign, which she hopes to cap off with a triumph in Saturday’s G1 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham.
Leica Lucy (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images)
Trained by Robbie Patterson, Leica Lucy has already secured wins in the G3 Eulogy Stakes, G3 Desert Gold Stakes, G2 David and Karen Ellis Fillies Classic, and the G2 Lowland Stakes this season. With those victories, she has already wrapped up the NZB 2024/25 Filly of the Year title—before contesting the Group 1 feature.
The Lead-Up to the Big One
Trainer Robbie Patterson, was thrilled with Leica Lucy’s final gallop on Tuesday morning, saying, “She worked super. She bounced off the track, and one thing’s certain, she’ll be getting more work this week after that!”
“She (Leica Lucy) worked super. She bounced off the track, and one thing’s certain, she’ll be getting more work this week after that!” - Robbie Patterson
When asked how he’s handling the lead-up to the Group 1, Patterson admitted, “it’s not about feeling pressure, it’s more anticipation. When you’ve got a $1.30 shot in a Group 1, you just hope everything goes right. There’s a big expectation, and rightly so, but you just want the filly to get every chance.”
Patterson has been vocal about the New Zealand Oaks being the long-term plan all season, stating, “since she won her maiden, her target has always been the Oaks. We’ve taken every small step along the way, and she should nearly be unbeaten. Over this trip, she should excel.”
Asked what characteristics made him believe she was an Oaks filly, he said, “her total demeanour, she eats, she relaxes. The only time she plays up a bit is before the start or in the parade ring, but I think that’s more about freshness. I’ve always kept her that way, with an eye always on the Oaks.
Robbie Patterson | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“But once she gets in the gates, she jumps, puts herself where she wants and relaxes. She’s been winning on pure ability.”
Returning to the early signs of her potential, Patterson recalled, “she always looked smart. In her first jump-out a year ago, she idled up to one of (Allan) Sharrock’s horses that had already won a race, and we thought, ‘geez, she goes good.’
“Soon after that, she had to get a bone chip out, which was probably a blessing in disguise as it gave her more time.”
A staying filly by Derryn
When Grangewilliam Stud purchased Derryn in 2018, few would have predicted he’d sire the hot favourite for a Group 1 Classic over 2400 metres.
Derryn’s sire, Hinchinbrook, was a precocious talent, winning twice at stakes level as a juvenile in the G3 Skyline Stakes and Listed Canonbury Stakes. At stud, he has produced 298 winners at an impressive 74 per cent winners to runners ratio, including 22 stakes winners and four at Group 1 level.
Derryn | Standing at Grangewilliam Stud
Derryn has carried on his lineage with handy statistics from limited opportunities. He has sired 46 winners at a respectable 48 per cent winners to runners ratio, including four stakes winners, which includes Leica Lucy, Spencer (NZ), Antipodean (NZ) and Sophmaze (NZ).
Derryn’s damline is also packed with speed. His dam, Munhro (Lonhro), won over 1150 metres and is a half-sister to two Group winners. His grandam, Regrowth (Unbridled’s Song {USA}), was a three-time juvenile winner, including two Listed victories. Remarkably, she produced 12 foals to race, all winners.
The late Hinchinbrook | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Derryn’s pedigree traces back to top sires Not A Single Doubt and Snippets, and Derryn was cleverly mated with a sire out of a Snippets mare, reinforcing his impressive lineage. As seen before, blending Australian speed influences with New Zealand mares can often produce elite middle-distance horses, and Leica Lucy may be the latest one to follow that philosophy.
Does Leica Lucy’s damline scream 2400 metres?
At first glance, Leica Lucy’s sire doesn’t immediately suggest strong staying potential. However, a closer look at her female family reveals a few key influences, that support a step up in distance.
Her dam, Dynamite Lucy (NZ) (Sir Percy {GB}), was a 1600 metres winner at three and stretched out to place at 2100 metres in premier quality company at Trentham.
Her sire, Sir Percy (GB), a G1 Epsom Derby winner, is a noted stamina influence. Though he only produced three small crops in New Zealand, his own progeny and from his mares globally have demonstrated a clear preference for longer trips.
Sir Percy (GB) | Standing at Landwades
Her grandam and great-grandam were by Pins and Deputy Governor (USA), stallions known for having the ability to produce 3-year-olds who excel in mile to middle-ditance races.
Ultimately, Leica Lucy may not be a traditional 2400 metres filly by pedigree, but she’s an outstanding athlete whose brilliance could extend to the Oas distance.
Ozzie Kheir’s investment in a current, and potential future Star
After Leica Lucy’s G3 Desert Gold Stakes win, high-profile owner Ozzie Kheir took notice and struck a deal with owners Heather and Peter Crofskey, who remain part of the ownership.
Under the agreement, Patterson would continue training her through the G2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic, G2 Lowland Stakes, and the G1 New Zealand Oaks. Two of the three are already in the bag—only the Oaks remains.
Ozzie Kheir | Image courtesy of Resimax Group
“Having Ozzie on board has been fantastic. He’s very much ‘horse first,’ and I appreciate that.” Patterson said.
After a slightly bruised heel raised concerns during vetting, Patterson reassured Kheir, “I told Ozzie it wasn’t a problem, she’d be fine, I just had to manage it. He took my word for it, which showed a lot of trust, considering we didn’t know each other.”
Regardless of the Oaks result, Leica Lucy is booked to fly to Australia on March 25 to join Chris Waller’s stable. Whether she contests the Australian Oaks remains to be seen, but Patterson hopes to send her off as a Group 1 winner.
The Patterson-Grylls partnership: A winning combination
The Patterson-Grylls duo has been dominant in stakes races for years. Craig Grylls, the current leading jockey in the New Zealand premiership is unbeaten on Leica Lucy, and has guided her to four consecutive Group race victories.
“Craig loves the filly and rates her,” Patterson said.
When asked about their partnership, Patterson explained, “Craig is the backbone of our stable, particularly in stakes races. When you put him on, you know the horse will get every chance.”
“Craig is the backbone of our stable, particularly in stakes races. When you put him on, you know the horse will get every chance.” - Robbie Patterson
Grylls echoed the sentiment, “I’m looking forward to riding her. She’s very exciting, and it’s grand final day here in New Zealand.”
Regarding the step up to 2400 metres, Grylls was confident, “she’s had a couple of good wins over ground, so the step-up shouldn’t be an issue. It’s a big test for any 3-year-old, but she’s up for it.”
Speaking about Patterson’s approach, Grylls added, “it’s great riding for him, he’s easygoing. Before every race, he says, ‘You’ve ridden more winners than me, you know what to do.’ He trusts me to ride my best race, which makes a difference.”
Robbie Patterson and Craig Grylls | Image courtesy of Race Images South
With everything falling into place, all eyes will be on Leica Lucy this Saturday as she chases Group 1 glory in the New Zealand Oaks. Will she cement her place as one of the best fillies of her generation before crossing the ditch?
