Filly’s win caps sensational wee
PETER Williams’ voice fills with pride when he discusses the female star of New Zealand Cup week.
And then he Media Sensation.
Williams and his wife, Dawn, train the glamour filly who overcame a rollercoaster spring to smash her rivals in the $300,000 group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton Park on Saturday, justifying every cent of her $425,000 yearling purchase price.
The classic victory erased concerns over the giant speed machine staying the 1600m of the Guineas and gives Media Sensation options on both sides of the Tasman for the remainder of the season.
It has been a big week for the Byerley Park (Karaka) trainers. On Tuesday at Te Aroha, the stable trained four winners from as many starters and one of them, Jip Jip Rock, promoted
talks about Dawn into the 1000win trainers club, its first female member.
Peter Williams was already there but said his wife making it was far more significant.
‘‘I think when I trained my 1000th winner I was about the 13th New Zealand trainer to do it so that wasn’t as big a deal. But Dawn is the first woman to do it and it is a hell of an achievement.
‘‘We have never had a lot of horses in work. Even when we trained in the South Island we only ever had 25 max, same as now. So I am very proud that she was the first woman to do it and I hope New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing recognise what a great achievement it is — not just for Dawn but for all the other female trainers and jockeys out there. ‘‘New Zealand racing would be stuffed if it wasn’t for all the females involved.
The flight carrying Media Sensation and Saturday’s New Zealand Cup winner, Bizzwin
I think when I trained my 1000th winner I was about the
13th New Zealand trainer to do it so that wasn’t as big a deal. But Dawn is the first woman to do it and it is a hell of an achievement
kle, from Auckland to Christchurch, was delayed two days in a row because of fog, meaning neither galloper arrived until Friday morning.
Clearly it did not bother them as the pair raced on the speed and either outpaced or outstayed their rivals in the two richest races of the day.
‘‘Initially we were worried it is going to affect her but it might have been a blessing,’’ Peter Williams said.
‘‘She never left her box in Auckland to go to the airport for either of the cancelled flights, so we got to prepare her at home and as soon as she got to Christchurch she ate up and settled in.
‘‘When you think about it, if she was going to Trentham to race she would be in a float all day the day before, so this was easier than that.’’
The Williamses now have some decisions to make about where their very valuable filly heads next, and the owners have