Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas, Riccarton
Race Summary:
Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) dispelled any doubt about her coping with 1600 metres with an authoritative display.
She was quickly into stride to sit outside the leader and rider Michael Coleman had her in front on straightening.
Media Sensation held a strong gallop and she proved superior to Valalie (Snitzel) with the well-supported Xpression (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) third.
Pedigree Notes :
The winner is out of Different To (High Chaparral {IRE}), who is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Dorabella (NZ) (Postponed {USA}) and the Singapore Group 3 winner Crusoe (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).
This family has a special affinity with the NZ 1000 Guineas as Dorabella won the event, as did another family member in Insouciant (NZ) (Keeper).
Also found in the pedigree is the two-time black-type winner Kudakulari (NZ) (Savabeel ).
Group 2 Tauranga S. Riccarton
Race Summary:
Ocean Emperor (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) had no trouble successfully defending his G3 Gartshore Tauranga S. title for part-owner and trainer Gary Hennessy.
The 7-year-old sat in the trail and rider Trudy Thornton was able to angle off the fence on straightening. The entire did the rest, lengthening stride in the run home to reel in the front-runner Nicoletta (NZ) (Savabeel). Darscaper Princess (NZ) (Darci Brahma) {NZ} finished well after getting clear air late.
Pedigree Notes
Hennessy secured Ocean Emperor out of Waikato Stud’s draft at Karaka for NZ$450,000 in 2013.
He is a son of the G3 Mannerism S. winner Tootsie (NZ) (Pins), who also finished second in the G1 Telegraph H.
The G3 Taranaki Breeders’ S. winner No Excuse Maggie (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) is also a member of the family, as is the multiple Listed winner Espurante (Flying Spur).
Group 3 New Zealand Cup, Riccarton
Race Summary:
Another well-judged, front-running ride by Sam Spratt saw Bizzwinkle (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {IRE}) give her back-to-back wins in the Cup.
Spratt, who was successful last year with Gobstopper (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), let the 5-year-old have free rein early and when under pressure in the run home the gelding refused to go away.
He fought tooth and nail to deny Duplicity (NZ) (Duporth) for the fifth win of his career.
Pedigree Notes:
Trained by Glenn Old, Bizzwinkle is a son of the Volksraad (GB) mare Bizz (NZ) who has left two other minor winners.
The big name in the pedigree is the G1 New Zealand Derby winner Jolly Jake (NZ) (Three Legs {GB}), who also won a G2 Avondale Guineas. Yacquina Bay (NZ) (Oregon {USA}) is another Group 3-winning member of the clan.
Listed Welcome S. Riccarton
Race Summary:
Miss Federer (NZ) (Swiss Ace) showed her will to win when she posted her second win from three appearances.
Tardily away, the 2-year-old gathered momentum to lead and she was clearly headed in the straight before rallying to beat Challa (Dissident), who had also finished runner-up in their meeting three weeks ago.
“She’s got her quirks, but once I got stuck into her she really dug deep and got the job done,” said winning rider Matt Cameron.
Pedigree Notes :
A NZ$10,000 Karaka purchase, Miss Federer is a daughter of the dual Listed winner Halobelle (NZ) (My Halo) and is a sister to the winner and stakes performer Starlight Angel.
There is an international flavour to the pedigree through the presence of the German Group 2 winner Ferro Sensation (GER) (Paolini {GER}).
