Vosne Romanee Does It Again
29 December 2009
Karaka graduate Vosne Romanee delivered at the highest level on Boxing Day when he ran away with the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie.
As the winner of the Group 1 Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m), New Zealand's finest weight for age contest in the spring, Vosne Romanee (Electronic Zone x Madison Avenue, by Morcon) was let go by punters somewhat on Saturday with the presence of four other Group 1 winners in the field including last start Group 1 VRC Derby winner Monaco Consul (High Chaparral) and last start Group 1 Captain Cook Stakes winner Ekstreme (Ekraar).
As a noted back marker is was surprising to see Vosne Romanee settle midfield on the fence in the hands of Matthew Cameron who had the baldy faced chestnut 'travelling' underneath him as the field, led out by Mandela, galloped into the Ellerslie home stretch.
In a cleanly run race the gaps appeared for the seven-year-old one off the fence and in an instant Vosne Romanee quickly established himself as clearly New Zealand's best middle distance athlete when running away to score by two and a quarter lengths.
His winning time was 2.00.60, the final 600m in 34.07, with fellow Karaka graduate Red Ruler (Viking Ruler) filling second place, and Tell a Tale (Tale Of The Cat) three lengths away in third.
Owned by Ian and Alana Smart who operate the Alana Estate vineyard in Martinborough, Vosne Romanee has carried his distinctive yellow colours with purple grapes to eight victories and over $1m in prize-money.
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| �Cheveley Stud's resident�stallion�Electronic Zone (Rahy) |
Vosne Romanee's sire Electronic Zone (Rahy), a winner of seven races in Hong Kong and placed second in the Group 2 Sha Tin Vase (1600m), has done a sterling job at stud with limited opportunities.
Currently the sire of 56% winners to runners (31 winners) and a decent 5% stakes winners to runners, Electronic Zone is also the sire of Group 3 BTC Premiers Cup winner Rezone, and last season's Listed Levin Stakes winner Elcee's Gold.
Further, Electronic Zone's progeny average 2.6 wins apiece which shows they train on with his current multiple winners including Possum, Electronic Socks, Waitui Zone, Electriclite, and Swipe.
Electronic Zone has stood at John and Sue Trumper's Cheveley Stud for the past three seasons. The Te Aroha-based operation will offer the only two Electronic Zone yearlings catalogued at Karaka 2010.
Lot 1393 - Bay Colt - Electronic Zone x Whispering Willow (Roughcast)
- This colt is a half-brother to six-time winner The Boy Can Sing with their dam Whispering Willow herself a half-sister to Joseph (Starjo) who claimed seven wins including the Listed Winter Classic.
Lot 1565 - Chestnut Colt - Electronic Zone x Grand Coulee (Woodman)
- This colt out of a Woodman mare is direct descendent of stakes winners Bank Burst, Dam Burst, and Rainburst. This is the same family as 2009 Group 1 Toorak Handicap winner Allez Wonder (Redoute's Choice).
- John Trumper describes the colt as "typical of his sire; a deep coloured chestnut with plenty of quality and athleticism".