Winning Avantage
Te Akau’s glorious season with their two-year-olds continued at Awapuni where Avantage completed a coveted Group One double for the operation.
She bowed to stablemate Sword Of Osman when runner-up in the Sistema Stakes (1200m) but yesterday the Fastnet Rock filly produced a stunning performance to blitz her rivals in the Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).
The Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richardstrained Avantage had also led home a stable quinella in January’s Karaka Million (1200m) when she beat Al Hasa, an earlier runaway winner of the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m).
‘‘She’s got some value now, bring on the 1000 Guineas in the spring,’’ Richards said. ‘‘She’s a lovely filly and a pleasure to have around the stable.’’
Rider Danielle Johnson was able to position Avantage one off the fence in fifth spot before pouncing 250m from home and then dashed away to account for Melt, who chased gamely, and Sir Nate who came from the back of the field for third.
Sword Of Osman went forward from a wide gate to dispute the pace one off the fence and he wilted to fourth under Troy Harris, who replaced an overweight Opie Bosson.
‘‘She’s a super filly and she was given a super ride,’’ Richards said. ‘‘Her work since Ellerslie had been pleasing, she trained on beautifully.
‘‘Troy was caught between a rock and a hard place and the pattern of the day was getting out wide and coming home.’’
Avantage has now won five of her six starts and this latest victory should assure her of champion juvenile honours.
‘‘She was very impressive, it’s a huge thrill,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘From the wide gate I got a nice run with the pace on all the way.
‘‘I had a lot of horse underneath me and it was just a case of when to push the button.’’
❚ Our Abbadean completed a stellar black type day at Awapuni for her trainers and jockey with the first stakes victory of her career.
The Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richardsprepared five-year-old was a dashing winner of the City of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m) in the hands of Danielle Johnson.
The Cambridge-based jockey had earlier claimed the Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on stablemate Avantage and in between times guided Magnum to win in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m).
Johnson subsequently added the Kevin O’Connor & Associates Premier (1550m) aboard Dream Dancer to give trainer Chris Bothwell his first training success in his own right.
‘‘It’s been a really good day for all of us,’’ Richards said.
Our Abbadean’s success significantly boosted the value of the Wentwood Grange-bred and raced daughter of Lookin At Lucky, who has now won six of her 22 starts.
‘‘We think the Hawke’s Bay Cup will be a nice fit for the mare,’’ Richards said. ‘‘We’ll discuss all the options with the owners but that looks a good race for her.’’
Our Abbadean, who had also won her previous start over 2200m at Trentham, came with a welltimed finish from back in the field to beat Five To Midnight and last year’s winner Sampson.
The runner-up was making his first appearance since he was narrowly beaten in the Auckland Cup (3200m) and is now likely to head across the Tasman for a tilt at the Sydney Cup (3200m).
‘‘He’s a genuine two-miler and he’s a lot stronger this year,’’ trainer Lisa Latta said.