Eulogy Produces New Filly Series Contenders
12 December 2005
Waikato Stud bred and raced three-year-old, Legs (Pins x River Century) came with a well timed run to take out the fourth leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of theYear Series, the Gr.3 Robertson Holden Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Manawatu on Saturday.
The Kevin Gray trained filly was having just her second start, having broken maiden ranks six days earlier.
The victory by Legs continues the good run for Waikato Stud's young stallion Pins and the filly will now be aimed towards the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham in March.
Legs was well ridden by David Walker, swooping late to claim the regally bred, Markisa (Danehill x Marquise) who turned in a bold front running display, while Southern visitor, Smitten Kitten (Volksraad x Vanderbilt) finished third.
Legs is now equal third in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series with six points, trailing New Zealand Bloodstock One Thousand Guineas winner, Seachange (Cape Cross x Just Cruising) on 12 points and the John Sargent trained Everswindell (Align x Hilarion Lady) on 7 points.
The next instalment in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series is to be run on Boxing Day at Ellerslie with the $60,000 Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m).
Current Standings
| Horse | Points |
|---|---|
| Seachange | 12 |
| Everswindell | 7 |
| Howmuchyacharging | 6 |
| Legs | 6 |
| Tsarina Belle | 5.5 |
| Vegas Showgirl | 4 |
| Crepe de Chine | 3 |
| Markisa | 3 |
| City Affair | 1.5 |
| Smitten Kitten | 1.5 |
| Echo Maid | 1 |
Exciting stayer, Kerry O'Reilly (O'Reilly x Pegarah) took out the feature event at Te Rapa on Saturday, the Gr.2 Waiakto Times Gold Cup (2400m), with a narrow victory over Filante Etoile (Soviet Star x Georgiana).
Trained by Jim Gibbs, Kerry O'Reilly had been successful in the Gr.2 Eagle Technologies Counties Cup at his previous outing and will now be set for the $600,000 Auckland Cup in March.
Consistent mare, Partee (Sandtrap x Te Akau Jo) finished third for Stratford trainer, Dick Bothwell. The daughter of Sandtrap was purchased for $10,000 at the 2002 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Filly Sale.
A Black Tuxedo filly out of Peggy O'Reilly, a full sister to Kerry O'Reilly, will be offered at next year's Festival Yearling Sale.
Earlier on the card, the Donna Logan trained Focal Point (Kashani x Key Issue), took out the Gr.2 Gasmate Stakes (1600m).
A race that has been won by the likes of Calveen and Miss Potential in previous years, the Gasmate Stakes was elevated to Group Two status for the first time.
Partnered by Leith Innes, Focal Point pounced late to deny consistent performer, Kew (Casual Lies x Spurs) victory, with Native Song (Mellifont x Enhanced) third.
Exciting two-year-old, Don Garcia (Danehill x Beyond The Sunset) was sent out a short priced favourite in the Listed Ford Fairview Stakes (1000m), however, it was talented filly, Chant (Traditionally x Chantenay) which prevailed in the juvenile feature.
Chant is the first winner for 1st season sire, Traditionally (Mr Prospector x Personal Ensign) and is raced by Dick Karreman, proprietor of the Oaks Stud in Cambridge. The Oaks Stud is the southern hemisphere base for Traditionally, winner of the Grade One Oaklawn Handicap in the USA.
Trained by Robert Priscott, Chant finished strongly to overhaul Jesterchine (Rory's Jester x Ventured), who lead throughout. Solvini (Bertolini x Paris Sky) finished a close up third, while the previously unbeaten Don Garcia pulled a muscle in his back.
A full brother to Chant is entered in next year's Premier Yearling Sale. Jesterchine was sold by Te Runga Stud at the 2005 Select Yearling Sale to Lance O'Sullivan for $85,000 while Trevor McKee paid $20,000 for Solvini from the same sale but from the draft of Soliloquy Lodge.
The Listed Ag And Turf Sportsground Developments (1400m) was taken out by the Bill Pomare runner, Shinko Bay (Shinko King x Lady Golfer), upstaging the well fancied Devoted (Bigstone x Loving Is Fun), with early leader, Figurinit (Danske x Silhouette) finishing thirf..
Listed winner and consistent performer Devoted is represented by a half brother by Strategic Image in the 2006 Festival Yearling Sale.
The racing action moved to Ellerslie on Sunday, where Willie Ryan (O'Reilly x Knockmeout) took out the feature, the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Triple Crown Cup (2000m).
Originally balloted out of the field, Willie Ryan was a late inclusion due to the scratching of another runner and despite racing wide throughout, prevailed in a close photo.
The Mark Walker trained, Congaline (Align x Bonnie Busker) finished second, with the Roger James trained America's Cup (Kaapstad x Winds of Conquest) in third.
Favourite Black Panther (Kaapstad x Toonsie), winner of the first leg of the Triple Crown series, finished well for fourth.
The final leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Triple Crown Series will be held on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, with the running of the Group 2 $150,000 Great Northern Guineas where the�$100,000 bonus would have been on offer had any horse been successful in the first two legs.