Group Three Reward for My Lips Are Sealed (NZ)

Saturday’s $120,000 Group Three Rydges Wellington Airport Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) at Trentham produced a one-two-three finish for Karaka graduates, headed by a first win at stakes level by My Lips Are Sealed (NZ) (Ace High).

Previously a second placegetter in a photo finish to last season’s Group Three Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at the same venue, My Lips Are Sealed has now had 16 starts for four wins, three placings and $178,610 in stakes. She was bought by Te Akau boss David Ellis for $160,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2022.

Runner-up Khafre (American Pharoah), who won last month’s Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) in his previous appearance, was a $155,000 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2021. His 25-race career has produced five wins, six placings and $164,515.

The third-placed Talisker (NZ) (Embellish) is a stablemate of the winner and has had 14 starts for three wins, seven placings and $234,010. Ellis bought him for $70,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2022.

But Saturday’s race was dominated by My Lips Are Sealed, who travelled sweetly in sixth spot for jockey Sam Spratt before beginning to build momentum after rounding the home turn.

The highly talented four-year-old raced to the lead inside the final 200 metres and soon asserted her superiority, kicking away to win by two lengths.

“It’s great to get that black-type win today after being beaten by a lip in the Eulogy last season,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains in partnership with Mark Walker. “She seems to love it here at Trentham.

“Sam gave her a great ride and it was a really good effort. She relaxed beautifully in the running. Having the sting out of the track is ideal for her. The firmer ground just slows her down a little bit and she’s not able to fully let down on it. She was perfectly placed in the handicap today and got the result.”

Spratt now has three wins from just five rides for Walker and Bergerson, including the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) in November aboard fellow Karaka graduate Mehzebeen (NZ) (Almanzor). The Phar Lap Trophy was her first ride on My Lips Are Sealed.

“We got into a beautiful position and then she just cruised into it,” Spratt said. “She found really well down the straight. She skipped through that ground and just did everything right.”

My Lips Are Sealed became the third individual stakes winner for Rich Hill Stud stallion Ace High, joining Group One winner Molly Bloom (NZ) and Listed winner Drakaina (NZ).

Ace High has seven yearlings catalogued for Book 1 of Karaka 2025 later this month, plus 18 in Book 2.

Vendor	Rich Hill Stud
Purchaser	Mr DC Ellis (Te Akau)
Breeding	Ace High – Tellmeaboutit
Sale	Lot 7, Karaka 2022 Book 1, $160,000
Bred by	Bloodstock Resources Ltd & Rich Hill Thoroughbreds Ltd