Star filly Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) wrote her own winning headline when she cruised to victory in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas feature for her fifth win from six appearances.
“That puts a lot of value on the filly and they’re great owners,” said co-trainer Peter Williams. “They spend a lot of money and they deserve it.”
It also capped off a memorable week for Williams’s wife, who became the first female trainer in New Zealand to send out 1,000 winners, that coming with Jip Jip Rock (High Chaparral {IRE}) at Te Aroha last Tuesday.
“That puts a lot of value on the filly and they’re great owners.” - Peter Williams.
Media Sensation was offered by Lime Country Thoroughbreds—the sales consignors have since relocated from New Zealand to New South Wales—and was a NZ$450,000 purchase for Green and Beemsterboer, who operate under their Barneswood Farm banner.
Red letter day
The Guineas triumph capped off a memorable day for the owners, whose colours were also carried to victory in a supporting event by Vendima (Sebring) and Caprikosa (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) finished runner-up.
While there had been a pre-race question mark about Media Sensation’s ability to cope with the 1600 metres, Williams was taking confidence from her age and pedigree.
“Against their own age they can win and a lot of fillies have won this race and can’t win over a mile as 4- or 5-year-olds,” Williams said.
“Being by I Am Invincible was a query, but this filly’s dam is by High Chaparral.”
Media Sensation's connections after her win in the NZ 1000 Guineas
“Against their own age they can win and a lot of fillies have won this race and can’t win over a mile as 4- or 5-year-olds.”
Media Sensation raced on the leader’s quarters and ambled to the front at the top of the straight.
“She travelled beautifully and switched off.” – Michael Coleman.
“She jumped out well and I went forward, there was no early pressure,” Coleman said. “She travelled beautifully and switched off. I went early because I didn’t want something coming around me.
“She’s a quality filly and it was a super training effort by Peter and Dawn. Their horses always look great.”
Media Sensation
Valalie (Snitzel), whose dam is a half-sister to six-time Group 1 winner Dundeel (High Chaparral {IRE}), stuck to her task grimly to get within half a length of Media Sensation at the post.
"She changed leg two or three times in the straight and that greenness cost her, but it was a very good effort.” - Andrew Forsman.
“That’s a massive result. She changed leg two or three times in the straight and that greenness cost her, but it was a very good effort,” said Andrew Forsman, who trains the filly with Murray Baker.
Xpression (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) was a length and a quarter back in third and was given every chance in the running by rider Sam Collett.
“It was a good run, just a shame we couldn’t get closer, but the others were just too good,” said Guy Lowry, who prepares Xpression with Grant Cullen. “We’ll take her home and make a plan from there.”
Media Sensation as a yearling
