Impressive Oaks Audition for Affaire A Suivre (NZ)

Karaka-sourced filly Affaire A Suivre (NZ) (Astern) forced her way into Group One contention later this month with an impressive black-type victory at Morphettville on Saturday.

The A$107,250 Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) was the second win of a five-start career for Affaire A Suivre, who was a $75,000 purchase from Karaka 2021. The promising filly has now banked A$85,480 for syndicators First Light Racing, and she is on target for a shot at the A$500,000 Group One Australasian Oaks (2000m) at the same track on April 29.

Taking a big step up in class after a last-start maiden win at Cranbourne on March 31, Affaire A Suivre enjoyed a comfortable run in sixth and one off the rail in the hands of jockey John Allen.

She started to build momentum coming up to the home turn, then quickly emerged as a distinct threat to her front-running stablemate Running On Time (NZ) (Time Test) after straightening for home.

Affaire A Suivre lengthened stride and soon overpowered that rival, kicking away to win by a length and a half.

“It was a very good win by the filly today, and I’ll look forward to coming back here to ride her in a Group One in a couple of weeks’ time,” Allen said.

“We had a good run in this race. After a couple crossed us early, we were able to stay one off the fence. She’s quite a big girl, so having a bit of room did her no harm.

“She flowed into it nicely and won the race with a bit of authority. She put them away, but was still having a bit of a look around.

“Being the size that she is, she’s probably taken a bit of time to come into herself and fill out, and that could be why her early form might not read that well. But she’s putting everything together nicely now.”

Affaire A Suivre was bred by Courtney and Mandy Howells, who offered her at Karaka under their Ainsley Downs banner. They offered a half-brother by Darci Brahma (NZ) at Karaka 2022, and he was passed in.