Herbie Dyke Stakes (Group 1)
IT was meant to be Melody Belle’s record breaking 14th Group 1, trouble was Royal Performer wasn’t handed the script. The former Hong Kong galloper, an eight-year-old by Medicean, powered to the line to take out the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes over 2,000 metres at Te Rapa on Saturday, improving his New Zealand record to four wins from seven starts for co-trainers and owners Bob and Jenny Vance.
“It’s my first Group 1 as a trainer,” said Bob. “Although Jenny has trained a couple, I never won this race as a jockey either, so I’m delighted to get this result. I knew he was a good horse, and he just got the perfect run. He was only gelded 16 months ago and when he came back from Hong Kong, we were very lucky to get to work with him. He’s had a lot of chiropractic work and Jenny does all the intricate details.”
Winning by over two lengths, Royal Performer defeated the Caulfield Cup placegetter The Chosen One, by Savabeel, with the Alamosa gelding On The Rocks in third.
Melody Belle, sent out at $1.30 finished ninth, eight lengths from the winner having copped a buffeting midway down the straight. “She just ended up with nowhere to go and wasn’t persevered with in the latter stages,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “It’s a great leveler this game, but she looks fine, trotted up well on Sunday morning and we will most likely press on to the (Group 1) Bonecrusher Stakes (March 13th) at Ellerslie with a little trial at Rotorua to tick her over beforehand.”
Seventh Group 1 for Avantage
BCD Group Sprint (Group 1)
UNPLACED just three times in 20 starts, Avantage won her third straight Group 1 at Te Rapa last Saturday, and her seventh overall. The five-year-old Fastnet Rock mare, favourite in the BCD Sprint over 1,400 metres was sent out at $1.90, with those odds looking generous when her closest rival Levante blew the start by eight lengths.
Powering away on straightening, Avantage opened up a sizable gap cruising to the line with over three lengths to spare with Opie Bosson in the saddle. “Avantage won well although it was unfortunate we didn’t get to see Levante and her go head-to-head, which is disappointing for the sport,” said trainer Jamie Richards who has flagged a return to Sydney for the mare. “Avantage was able to race on the speed and take bad luck out of the equation. At this stage she is on target for the Group 1 mile at Otaki in a fortnight.”
Earlier in the day Amarelinha justified her New Zealand Oaks favouritism with a smart win for Te Akau Racing in the Group 2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic over 2,000 metres. Switching off the heels of the leading pair with just over 200 metres to run, the Savabeel filly charged to the line posting a five length win to improve her record to three wins and two seconds from five starts.
LEADING New Zealand jockey Danielle Johnson notched her 1,000th career win at Te Aroha on Wednesday, landing the first on Feelin’ Fancy for Te Akau Racing’s Jamie Richards. Johnson becomes the fourth New Zealand woman to complete the feat after Lisa Cropp, Lisa Allpress and Trudy Thornton.
“What people are saying to me makes me realise what a big achievement it is,” said Johnson.
“Even just saying ‘1000 wins’, wow, that‘s a lot of winners.”
With 119 winners so far this season, 53 ahead of her nearest rival, Johnson will also take out the Jockeys’ Premiership making it four seasons in a row for the women over the men.