Group 1 Quinella for NZ First Season Sires

Jokers Wild (Black Minnaloushe x Miss Rory) provided his sire with his first Group 1 winner after taking out the Ford Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Starting at long odds despite his last start win, the fiery colt stormed home under Michael Coleman to win by a long neck over Chant (Traditionally x Chantenay). Jo Wilding's Te Mania Stud sold Jokers Wild to Paul Moroney at the 2005 Karaka Select Sale for NZ$40,000.

Owned by Karreman Bloodstock and trained by Robert Priscott, Chant recorded an impressive run, being stuck out wide throughout the race and finishing strongly.

Both Jokers Wild and Chant are from the first Southern Hemisphere crops of their sires Black Minnaloushe and Traditionally. Black Minnaloushe, a son of Storm Cat and dual Group 1 winner stands at Windsor Park Stud and this year recorded a Premier Sale average of $70,182. His top lot sold to Dominic Li of Hong Kong for NZ$200,000 and was out of the Pencarrow Stud's Tamarino (Caerloen), a half sister to the Group 1 Breeders Cup Turf winner, Northern Spur (Sadler's Wells).

Traditionally (Mr Prospector), standing at Dick Karreman's The Oaks Stud, had a Premier Sale average of $76,111 this year. His top lot was purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club who bid up to NZ$180,000 to secure the colt, a full brother to Chant.

Third placegetter was the New Zealand Bloodstock 2YO Classique winner Italia (Stravinsky x Capote Crossing) who was purchased by her trainers Shane Kennedy and Ricky Carston at the 2005 Premier Yearling Sale for NZ$60,000 from Trelawney Stud.

The Kennedy/Carston Stable had to settle for second in the other Group 1 feature of the day, the Starcraft New Zealand Stakes (2000m) with Hurrah (Bahhare x Shock Attack). Kristov (Slavic x Santa Barbra) proved his dominance with another front running performance to win in what was a step up in distance. Trained by Phil Stevens he has now won 14 of his 44 starts and heads to the spelling paddock to recuperate in time for spring racing.

New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series winner for this season, Shikoba (Chief Bearhart x Summary), ran on well for third.