Cover image courtesy NZ Racing Desk
G3 Lucia Valentina Wellington S., NZ$80,000, 1600m
White Noise (NZ) (El Roca) secured a stakes victory at start number six, claiming the G3 Lucia Valentina Wellington S. at Otaki on Thursday.
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained gelding proved too strong for his rivals, defeating Unusual Culture (NZ) (Unusual Suspect {USA}) by 0.8l, with another 1.8l back to Barrow Boy (NZ) (Savabeel) in third.
Ryan Elliot settled White Noise off the pace set by stablemate Turn The Ace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) and produced him with a well-timed run to win the 1600-metre race with ease.
It was his third career victory and adds to early wins at Hawera and Te Aroha. Forsman indicated after the race that White Noise could be a possible contender for next year's G1 New Zealand Derby.
He becomes the fourth stakes winner for Westbury Stud's El Roca, and second Group winner this week after Lucky Patch's (NZ) win in Hong Kong.
He is a homebred out of White Nymph (NZ) (Sir Percy {GB}), who has produced one other winner, El Nymph (NZ) (El Roca). She was sold to Dave Mee of Pinhook Bloodstock for $3000 last year. She produced a colt by Wrote (Ire) in 2020 and then visited Raise The Flag (GB).
His third dam is the Italian Group 3 winner Spring (GB) (Sadler's Wells {USA}), a half-sister to the successful stallion Pentire (GB).
Listed Courtesy Ford Levin S., NZ$60,000, 1200m
Rose 'N' Power (NZ) (Power {GB}) landed her fourth win in succession and ticked the black-type box in the Listed Courtesy Ford Levin S. giving further cause for celebration for Cambridge trainers Fred and Lindsay Cornege, who were celebrating their 43rd wedding anniversary.
Rose 'N' Power, under a vigorous Matt Cameron ride, eventually get the better of Romantic Lady (NZ) (Power {GB}), with Stumpy (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) in third.
Bred by Liz Pollard and Gloria Graydon, the Corneges share in the ownership of the daughter of Power (GB), whose grandam is the Group 3 winner Rosetti Bay (NZ) (Pins), who won eight races.
Her dam, Diamond Rose (NZ) (Danroad) is a half-sister to the Listed winner Queens Rose (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}).
Diamond Rose last produced a Per Incanto (USA) filly in 2019.
