Written by Paul Vettise
Danica Guy was an interested and excited onlooker when Sai Fah triumphed in the opening 2-year-old event of the New Zealand season.
He is by Rios (NZ) (Hussonet {USA} and his progeny have served the Matamata horsewoman so well that she now owns the well-related 14-year-old.
The Group 1 winning trainer is standing Rios, who was purchased via gavelhouse.com and is now standing at $2500 + GST under her Upstage Bloodstock banner.
“He’s a beautiful-looking horse with an outstanding temperament and he’s got a pedigree,” Guy said. “It’s such a pleasure to have him around, he’s a cool horse.”
Former Waikato stallion Rios is now standing under the Upstage Bloodstock banner
“He’s a beautiful-looking horse with an outstanding temperament and he’s got a pedigree.” – Danica Guy.
Guy has an excellent record with the stock of Rios, who formerly stood at Waikato Stud, and prepared his best son Gaultier (NZ) to win the G1 Levin Classic. “I sold him to Hong Kong and Happy Place after he won at his third start for me,” Guy said.
“I’ve also sold two to Hong Kong after trials, but unfortunately one of them got colic and died. I’ve had two to the races here that have won as well – Trigger and Gothenburg, who’s got any amount of ability. He’s had a wind operation so we’ll have to wait and see how he goes.”
Gothenburg is an older brother of the Stephen Marsh-trained Sai Fah, who won the first 2-year-old event of the season at Wanganui last Saturday.
“I’ve got a yearling brother to Gothenburg, the whole family is here,” Guy said. “I’ve got three broodmares he’ll be serving and I’ll take mares on a walk in basis, there’s been inquiries.
“I’ve got a yearling brother to Gothenburg, the whole family is here.” - Danica Guy.
“It would be really good to see him get a nice book. He’s done an outstanding job from the mares he’s had.”
Rios, who has so far left 21 winners from 51 starters, was trained by Murray Baker and won six races, including the G2 Wellington Guineas and he placed in both the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas and the G2 Tulloch S.
Rios running at Canterbury
Group 1 pedigree
He is a half-brother to the G1 Australian Derby winner Roman Emperor (NZ) (Montjeu {IRE}) with their dam Gussy Godiva (NZ) (Last Tycoon {IRE}). She is a half-sister to Black Mamba (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}) who won the G1 John C Mabee H., after her sale to American interests.
Rios is a half-brother to Group 1 Australian Derby winner, Roman Emperor
Guy also celebrated a training success last Sunday when Galaxy Miss (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) won at Te Aroha. The mare is in the twilight of her career with the eight-time winner headed to the broodmare paddock.
“This is her last season of racing and she’s going to be covered by Shamexpress,” Guy said. In the meantime, she will chase black type next time out in the Listed Haunui Farm Karaka Classic at Pukekohe Park on September 23.
