Avantage at her best
Feisty mare Avantage showed all her fighting qualities when she overcame a wide barrier and a plucky southern rival to take out the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham.
Prepared by Jamie Richards for owners the Te Akau Avantage syndicate, the Fastnet Rock four-year-old gained a measure of revenge for the Matamata stable after outstanding racemare Melody Belle was beaten in the 2019 edition.
Richards and the Te Akau team put their faith in the hands of regular rider Opie Bosson and New Zealand’s premier hoop didn’t disappoint as he once again displayed the judgement and skill that has now taken him to a place in the top fifty most group one winning jockeys in the world.
Advised by Richards to be anywhere but last in the early running, Bosson bounced Avantage away nicely from the widest barrier in the 13-horse field to sit just beyond midfield with cover as Sheezallmine set a solid pace.
Approaching the home bend South Islander Enzo’s Lad, who was seeking a third straight success, loomed wide to take the lead and establish a break.
Avantage had tracked him into contention and began to chase him down as the pair drew clear of the pack. Bosson threw everything at the mare who responded gamely to put her head in front at the 100m as she defeated Enzo’s Lad by half a length with Spring Heat dashing home late to grab third.
‘‘Jamie and the whole team had her spot on for today,’’ Bosson said. ‘‘I galloped her Tuesday morning and the work was first class.
‘‘I had no plan really as Jamie had said just don’t be last. I ended up getting quite a nice run with cover although she wobbled around a bit over the junction.
‘‘It didn’t matter though as she always had them covered, she’s a little sweetheart.’’
Richards was delighted with the performance and the way the mare had returned to form after a disappointing Sydney campaign in the spring following a lacklustre run to open her campaign at Ruakaka.
‘‘She’s a proper good horse,’’ Richards said. ‘‘We made a mistake taking her to Sydney in the spring.’’
Avantage was purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $210,000 from The Oaks Stud’s Premier session draft at the 2017 National Yearling Sale and has now won twice at Group One level after taking out the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) during her two-year-old season after earlier scoring in the $1 million Karaka Million 2YO (1200m).
Avantage has now won eight of her 14 career starts and over $1.149 million in prizemoney.
– NZ Racing Desk