Showing Plenty of Class

Four-year-old mare Slice of Class (NZ) (Guillotine) showed just how much class she has with an impressive victory in the Group 3 $80,000 Valachi Downs Canterbury Breeders Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton Park yesterday.

Trained in the North Island by Karen Zimmerman, Slice of Class was a strong winner on her home track of Otaki at her previous start, capping her strong formline that has seen her weigh in at all of her 12 career races.

“She is very genuine,” commented Zimmerman, “In her last couple of starts we have figured out how she likes to be ridden. She likes to be saved to have that last sprint at them after being ridden quietly.”

Rider Kelly Myers travelled mid-field aboard Slice of Class, enjoying an economical run on the rails. Myers took her time getting into space but when the pair found clear air at the 200m mark the daughter of Guillotine sprinted past Pinzaara (NZ) (Pins) to win by a clear length.

“I was very impressed with her, she exceeded my expectations,” said Zimmerman. “Her turn of foot yesterday was probably the best she has ever shown.

“Going forward, we may put in a nomination for the Thorndon Mile but right now she will go to the paddock for a week to freshen up.”

Yesterday’s win was Slice of Class’s third win from 12 starts in her career which has yielded $77,760 for her owners M J Day, G L Fox, S & S P Hunt, K W Rigarlsford, M Tyne & B Warr.

Zimmerman purchased Slice of Class for $11,000 at the 2011 National Weanling Sale from Brighthill Farm.

Bred by Richard Craddock, Slice of Class is out of winning Volksraad mare Bible Class and is from the family of top-performers Tavistock (Montjeu) and Precedence (Zabeel).

Slice of Class was one of two stakes winners for Karaka at Riccarton Park yesterday with Soubrettes (NZ) (High Chaparral) winning the Group 3 Lindauer Stewards Stakes Handicap.

New Zealand Bloodstock sponsored the NZB Ready to Run Sale 3YO 1400m at Riccarton Park yesterday, won by the Michael and Matthew Pitman trained Another Coup (NZ) (Darci Brahma). As the winning trainers, the Pitman’s also won the Ready to Run Sale prize package which includes:

• $500 towards personal travel and accommodation for NZB’s Ready to Run Sale.
• FREE New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance policy for a Ready to Run Sale purchase up to $50,000.
• FREE transport of a Ready to Run Sale purchase on Majestic Horse Floats to the trainer’s stable.
• A one year subscription to The Informant Online.

For more news and information from New Zealand Bloodstock visit www.nzb.co.nz. To view the catalogue for the Ready to Run Sale, click here.