Facing a big field of 19 for the fillies and mares maiden over 1200 metres, the Andre Nel trained filly prevailed to win by a long neck in a most encouraging performance.
"She was a lot greener than we expected, but she found her feet and found a way - in the end she was just too good for them," said Andre Nel.
Ngaga was a $250,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Kia Ora Stud draft for
James Bester Bloodstock and runs for his long-time client Mrs Sabine Plattner."This filly was a 'stand-out' on physique - a big, strong, good-moving Fastnet Rock filly with a lot of quality," James Bester recalled.
"Her front legs, however, left a little to be desired, which put buyers off her at Easter.
"I thought she was a near-million-dollar filly if legs had been perfect, so was happy enough to buy her 'on spec' at the heavily-discounted reserve price.
"I offered her to Sabine Plattner (for whom I'd previously bought the likes of Laisserfaire, Joie de Grise, more recently Acrostar, etc.). Sabine and her trainer Andre Nel were unhesitating in snapping her up and, judging by this debut win, are going to have a lot of fun with a filly whose residual value is huge."
Bred by Kia Ora, Ngaga is the fifth winner from Zarinia (IRE), who in addition to producing four-time Group I winner Igugu has also left Group III winner Honorius and Group III placed Sweet Fire.
Zarinia has foaled this spring for Kia Ora producing a filly by Newgate Farm's exciting young sire Deep Field.
