So often 'the bridesmaid' in big races, Gee I Jane (Jahafil x Miss Distinction) broke through for a well deserved victory, with a comfortable win in the Group 1 Century City Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Wellington on Saturday.

Partnered by visiting Australian rider, Scott Seamer, Gee I Jane justified the pre-race confidence of trainer Neville Couchman, enjoying a trouble free run from her wide draw and proving too good for her highly rated opposition.

Runner up, Dezigna (Volksraad x Label Basher) closed strongly in what was a very good rehearsal for next Saturday's Group 1 Thorndon Mile, while Magistra Delecta (Al Akbar x Governor's Girl) also made ground late for third.

For Gee I Jane and her connections the victory was just desserts, after what they describe as a terrible run of bad luck for their mare on each of the 5 occasions she has stepped out in Group 1 company previously.

For her 35 year old trainer, Neville Couchman, it was due reward for his patience and faith in the abilities of what he regards as the best horse he has trained in his 13 year career, and who provided the Cambridge horseman with his first Group 1 victory.

The now 5 year old bay mare was bred by Kieran and Margaret McCarthy of Hawkes Bay, and they race her together with Lance Mackie, also of Hawkes Bay.

Gee I Jane's dame, Miss Distinction (NZ) is by Bletchencore (Bletchingly) from Estella Dawn (by Hasty Cloud). She won one race herself over 1200m, and has had 5 foals to race for 4 winners.

As well as Gee I Jane, she is the dam of Miss Jessie Jay ((Spectacularphantom), who won 9 races, including the Group 3 Egmont Fayette Park Stakes, the Listed Canterbury Warstep Stakes and the Listed Levin Stakes.

Saturday's win provided a terrific boost to the fortunes of Lot 457 at the Premier Sale at Karaka, a half brother to Gee I Jane by promising young sire Spectatorial, which will be offered by the Baker family's Hallmark Stud.

Hallmark Stud will also offer Lot 458, a Spectatorial colt form Miss Jessie Jay. Spectatorial, whose oldest progeny are two year olds, is represented by a further 3 Select Sale yearlings and 9 Festival Sale yearlings in addition to Hallmark Stud's two exciting Premier Sale offerings.

Immediate plans for Gee I Jane include a possible start in the Group1 Waikato Draught Sprint (1400m WFA) on February 4, while the long term goal may include a crack at the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) in Brisbane in June.

Italia the Most Recent Star for Stravinsky

South Island 2 year old filly, Italia (Stravinsky x Capote Crossing by Capote) is the latest star performer for Cambridge Stud sire, Stravinsky, after an impressive performance in winning the Group 2 Ford Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m) at Wellington on Saturday.

From the Riccarton (Christchurch) stable of Shane Kennedy and Ricky Carston, Italia had scored a win and a second from two previous starts in the South Island going into Saturday's race, but was allowed by punters to start the race at odds of better than 32-to-1.

Rider Vinny Colgan said: "She won like a good horse and did it comfortably."

Italia won by three-quarters of a length from another South Island-trained filly, Udiditagain (D'Cash x Tio Iris),who had beaten the winner at her previous start and was unlucky in clipping the heels of another runner inside the final 200m of Saturday's race.

In third place, a further half-a-length back, was the ultra consistent Habana (Danasinga x Kohinoor), who has now placed twice in stakes company. Race favourite and dual stakes winning filly, Chant (Traditionally x Chatenay), raced keenly on the pace early, contrary to her previous pattern of coming from off the pace, and faded in the straight.

Italia is raced by Christchurch owner Brian Vieceli, in partnership with his wife, Mary, son Louis and daughter-in-law Lynda under the banner of Kotuku Investments.

The Vieceli family also part-own this season's Gr. 1 Captain Cook Stakes winner Hurrah (Bahhare x Shock Attack), who is a contender for next Saturday's Gr. 1 $150,000 Thorndon Mile at Trentham.

The win confirmed plans for Italia to continue her trip northwards to contest the $500,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Classique (1200m) at Te Rapa on February 4.

Italia was bred by Auckland businessman, David Paykel, who currently owns eight broodmares including Italia's dam, US-bred mare Capote Crossing (Capote x River Crossing by Affirmed), who was imported from New York to New Zealand in 1999 in a deal negotiated by Auckland-based Michael Otto Bloodstock.

Italia's second dam, River Crossing, is a half-sister to 1994 US Broodmare Of The Year and Gr. 1 winner Fall Aspen, who is the dam of the Gr. 1 winners Northern Aspen, Hamas, Fort Wood and Timber Country.

In addition Fall Aspen's daughters have left Dubai Millennium and Elnadim.

"I liked the pedigree very much particularly since there were successful sires on the page," Paykel said.

"Italia's win has capped a successful season for me," he said.

Paykel also bred Pendragon (Elnadim x Alacrity) who was successful earlier this season in the Gr. 3 STC Gloaming Stakes and the Gr. 3 MRC Norman Robinson Stakes from the stable of Bart Cummings and is being set for a tilt at the Gr. 1 AJC Derby this autumn.

Italia was sold on behalf of Paykel through the draft of Trelawney Stud, at last year's New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale. She was purchased for $60,000 by Shane Kennedy.

Italia became the 25th individual stakes winner for Cambridge Stud-based sire Stravinsky (Nureyev x Fire The Groom).

At the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series, starting next Monday, a total of 36 yearlings by Stravinsky will be offered, including 26 in the Premier Sale, 9 in the Select Sale and 1 in the Festival Sale.

Chettak the Benefactor As Wellington Stakes is Marred by Interference

Saturday's Group 3 Duxton Hotel Wellington Stakes (1600m) fell the way of talented three-year old, Chettak (Almutawakel x Filament), despite the Stephen Marsh trained runner crossing the line second behind favourite, Wahid (Almutawakel x Rory's Helen).

The result was decided in the judicial room, with third placegetter, Abbey Drive (Zabeel x Grace And Power) protesting successfully against Wahid, who drifted in towards the running rail, stopping the fast finishing Abbey Drive in his tracks.

Chettack, who enjoyed an uninterrupted run to the post was the beneficiary of the stewards decision, with Abbey Drive elevated to second placing and Wahid relegated to third.

Top New Zealand Jockey, Leith Innes, was subsequently suspended for three weeks following his ride aboard Wahid.

Trained at Woodville by Stephen Marsh, Chettak was bred by Mrs A & J Goddard and Meehan Bloodstock Trust, and was purchased at the Select Session of the 2004 Karaka sale from the draft of Wellfield Lodge for $55,000.

Former Star two year old and Group One winning three-year old, Wahid, was also purchased from the 2004 Select Sale, with trainer Alan Sharrock bidding $50,000 on behalf of the Stanley Brothers.

Abbey Drive was a $300,000 purchase from the Pencarrow Stud draft at the Premier Sale and comes from the family of Champion galloper, Might And Power.

All three placegetters look likely to clash again in the Group One Mercedes New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March at Ellerslie.

Envoy Scores in Thrilling Finish to Trentham Stakes

Saturday's Group 3 Village Goldsmith Trentham Stakes (2400m) provided a thrilling finish, with Envoy (Personal Escort x Sovereign Command) prevailing narrowly from exciting stayer Trebla (Yamanin Vital x Otaki Princess) with Zabeat (Rhythm x Zabest) and Distinctily Secret (Distinctly North x Te Akau Secret) a close up third and fourth respectively.

The first three past the post are likely to clash in this Saturday's Gr.1 Dulux Colour Map Wellington Cup (3200m), this time under handicap conditions.

The Donna Logan trained, Zabeat will be looking to make it back to back Wellington Cups, while the Del Roberts trained Trebla has shown he is a stayer of great promise, with an outstanding victory in the Gr.2 New Zealand Cup (3200m) in November.

With the first three all aimed at the Wellington Cup, and so little between them at level weights on Saturday, it may be the weights they are respectively asked to carry under the handicap conditions of the Cup that decide the issue of favouritism with the punters.

Grant Cooksley will again be aboard Envoy. Australian jockey Scott Seamer, who won a special place in Kiwi hearts with his Melbourne Cup-winning ride on Ethereal, came to Wellington chiefly to ride Telegraph Handicap winner Gee I Jane, but has indicated he will return to ride Zabeat in the Cup this Saturday.

Leith Innes, on the other hand, incurred a three-week suspension after the relegation of Wahid in the Wellington Stakes. He is considering an appeal but, whatever the outcome, Trebla's trainer Del Roberts is in no hurry to decide a replacement. There has been no shortage of capable jockeys putting their hands up.

One of a small team prepared at Matamata by Ken Kelso, winner Envoy is staying at the Zimmermans' Otaki stables through the week and reportedly came through Saturday's race in fine fettle.

The Kelsos race Envoy in partnership with Papamoa friends Rob and Jane White.

"Rob used to be our farrier," says Kelso, "and, after spending six years in Japan working for Shadai Farm, he's back doing our shoeing again."

Ken & Bev Kelso purchased Envoy at the 2000 Festival Yearling Sale at Karaka, for $20,000, from the draft of White Robe Lodge.

White Robe Lodge will offer yearlings at all three sessions of New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sales, including three at the high profile Premier Sale, commencing next Monday.

King of Ashford Simply Brilliant in Anniversary Handicap Triumph

The dashing 2 and 3/4 length win by King Of Ashford (His Royal Highness x Zena's Wish by Super Gray) in the Listed Nobilo Wine Anniversary Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday provided Palmerston North owner-breeder Gerry Arber with another special moment, from a thoroughbred family he has developed over the past 20 years.

Arbor was given the dam of King Of Ashford, Zena's Wish (Super Gray x My Wish by Magnesia), by former trainer Tim Fowler in 1985 as an unraced three-year-old.

"I was introduced to racing 40 years ago by Tim Fowler and owned a few horses which he trained for me. When Tim got out of breeding he gave me Zena's Wish and she was my foundation mare," Arber said.

"From Zena's Wish I have bred a lot of good 'bread and butter' horses which have won a total of 49 races," he said. "I've had a lot of thrills and a great deal of fun from the family over the years."

5 year old gelding, King Of Ashford has the chance to surpass the family's previous best achievements when he lines up as one of the favourites for next Saturday's Gr. 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham.

Second home in Saturday's race was favourite Pacific Dancer (NZ) (Groom Dancer x Pacific Gem) who will start next in the Rangitikei Cup (2000m) at Awapuni on February 4 and is being aimed at the Gr. 1 $600,000 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie on March 8. The way he swooped around the field from the tail to run on strongly would certainly have won him some fans leading into his forthcoming Cup targets.

A further 2 and a � lengths back in third position was Native Song (NZ) (Mellifont x Enhanced by Caro).

King Of Ashford has now won 7 of his 14 starts. As a 3 and 4 year old he won 6 races from as many starts, 2 in the autumn of 2004 and then 4 in a row when he resumed racing after a long spell in the summer and autumn of 2005. After the second of these 4 year old wins, Arber received an offer of $325,000 for the gelding but the sale fell through when he failed a vet test.

King Of Ashford raced in blinkers for the first time on Saturday and Zimmerman felt the additional gear made the world of difference to the five-year-old.

"I have thought about putting blinkers on him for some time but wanted to wait until the appropriate time," she said.

"He relaxed a lot more in Saturday's race and his concentration was a lot better. He is a lot more mature both physically and mentally than he was last season," Zimmerman said.

"He has come through the race well and I'm not worried about him racing for the third week in a row in the Thorndon," she said.

At the forthcoming Select Sale at Karaka, Te Runga Stud will present for sale, on behalf of Tim Harrison, a brown colt by Danehill's Group 1 winning son Indian Danehill out of King of Ashford's Sound Reason half sister, Umhlanga Rocks a winner of 5 races at Lot 652.

King Of Ashford's Sire, popular Central Districts stallion, His Royal Highness, is represented by 4 Select Sale yearlings and a further 3 yearlings from the Festival Sale.

Sea Saint Prevails in Tight Finish to Gore Guineas

The Mark Walker trained Sea Saint (Orpen x Top Saint) scored a hard fought victory in Saturday's Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas (1355m) in the South Island.

A winner of 5 of his 10 starts to date, Sea Saint was purchased by David Ellis at the 2004 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of Halo Farm for $40,000.

The talented son of Orpen prevailed from Kelly Cullen (Cullen x Kelly Dancer), who lead throughout.

The Gore Guineas was the first leg of a new Windsor Park Stud sponsored Triple Crown Series, which carries a bonus of $100,000 for any horse which can win all three legs.

The two remaining events in the Series are the Windsor Park Dunedin Classic (1400m) at Wingatui on February 11 with the 3rd and final leg being the Listed Ascot Park Motel Southland Guineas (1600m) on February 25.

Redoute's Choice Youngsters Shine In Melbourne Sun

Boom Sire, Redoute's Choice was represented by two impressive winners in the searing Melbourne heat at Sandown on Saturday, with exciting three-year old filly, Fanfares (Redoute's Choice x Hit and Giggle) taking out the Vicurban Cup (1300m) in impressive fashion to remain unbeaten after three starts.

Just 40 minutes later and the Danny O'Brien trained two-year old, My Only Hope (Redoute's Choice x Cantenac) strolled to victory in the ESP Techforce Plate for juvenile fillies.

New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sales commencing on January 30 provides the next opportunity for buyers to purchase offspring by the young son of Danehill, with 5 yearlings by Redoute's Choice to go under the hammer at the Premier Yearling Sale.

Amongst them is an outstanding colt at Lot 315 from Des Hawkins' Wentwood Grange, from the Diesis mare, First Cut, while newcomers, Monovale Farm, will offer an impeccably bred daughter of Redoute's Choice, being from a sister to Marscay in Market Fair at Lot 439.

Other offerings by Redoute's Choice include Poplar Lodge's colt from the Palace Music mare, Windows at Lot 276; Haunui Farm's Filly at Lot 276 from the Dehere mare, De Canny; and Ascot Farm's Redoute's Choice filly at Lot 343, from the Zabeel mare, Great Boquet.