No Tricks Triumphs in the Warstep Stakes while Consensus Takes the Series

Winning the final leg of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Southern Filly of the Year Series was No Tricks (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Listed $50,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m).

Consensus (NZ) (inside) wins the Southern Filly of the Year Series and No Tricks (NZ) races to victory in the Listed NZB Warstep Stakes. Photo courtesy of Race Images Chirstchurch.

This was the last leg in NZB’s Southern Filly of the Year Series for the 2014-15 season. Winning the Series, with the most points over the four races, was Consensus (NZ) (Postponed) with 13 points, finishing second in the Series with 10 points is No Tricks and third equal was Darci’s Dream (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and Miss Seton Sands (Gonski) with 7 points each.

Titled as the Southern Filly of the Year for 2014-15, Consensus won the third leg of the Series, the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes two starts ago before finishing as the runner-up in the final race of the Series for trainer Terri Rae and owners Mrs JC Christie, J & M Lum, Mrs DP & MDJ Molloy, Such Is Life Ltd & Est late MC Molloy.

The three-year-old Postponed filly was bred by M2 Racing Limited and is out of winning mare Kate Cross (Cape Cross).

“It was great for her to win the Series, she really deserved it,” commented Terri Rae. “She has only been with me the last couple of starts but has been down here for quite a long time, running in the Canterbury Belle Stakes and then the Guineas. She has raced in the North Island amongst good company but has been very unlucky in her races.

“Winning the Series means a lot to her owners, particularly from a breeding perspective.”

Runner-up in the Southern Filly Series is No Tricks, who ran second to race rival Consensus in her last start, the third leg of the Series, the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes, before turning the tables on Saturday at Riccarton. The Savabeel filly had the first of her nine starts earlier this season and can now claim her second win and has placed no further back than fourth for Te Akau Racing’s trainer Jason Bridgman.

“It was a rewarding win,” commented Bridgman. “She had been so consistent all season, never running worse than fourth throughout her career. We had a slight query about her last start in the Airfreight Stakes but on Saturday after she raced a little keen early on, she finally relaxed and was strong on the line.

“It was a great effort and a terrific thrill to win a race for Monovale Farms.”

David Walsh took his first ride on No Tricks to settle mid-field in fourth position on the rail with Savannah Somoy (NZ) (Keeper) leading the field. With 600m to run, No Tricks peeled off the rail to track Consensus allowing Platinum Command (NZ) (Red Giant) to travel up on the inside.

Heading for home, No Tricks pulled out to be three-wide to challenge Consensus who had dashed to the lead but No Tricks dug deep in the final moments to gain half-a-length on Consensus who finished the race in second place and Belle Miraaj (NZ) (Iffraaj) took third place.

“It was bit of an experiment to see if she would run the trip but she has only got better with racing. She is on her way back North and will have a week in the paddock.  At this stage we may look at Brisbane with her, keeping in mind she has had a busy season but she is in tip top shape at the moment - they are only three-years-old once and so we will give it consideration,” said Bridgman.

The three-year-old’s first stakes win has increased her prizemoney to $66,300 for her breeder and owner, Monovale Holdings, who offered her at the 2013 Karaka Premier Sale.

The daughter of Savabeel is out of Mezaire (Al Akbar) who is a half-sister to stakes winner Amazing Charm (Amazing Dancer), winner of the Listed Invercargill Gold Cup.