O'Reilly Veteran Wins G1 Zabeel Classic

Media Release - Sunday December 26

Veteran galloper Tiptronic led all the way to take out his second career Group One prize when he captured the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie

Tiptronic dashes clear to add a second Group One victory to his career record as he takes out the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie Photo Credit: Trish Dunell

The Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall-trained eight-year-old had hinted he could return to his best form when finishing on strongly for third in the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at his most recent start.

The son of O’Reilly had finished fifth in the race a year earlier after being forced to sit three-wide throughout, however this time rider Ashvin Goindasamy followed Richardson’s instructions to the letter as he took Tiptronic to the front and set a steady pace throughout.

Goindasamy upped the tempo approaching the home turn and it was obvious he had his rivals in trouble as Tiptronic slipped two lengths clear early in the run home.

Advertisement

Refusing to yield, Tiptronic held out a brave bid from runner-up Vernanme, holding on to win by a length and a half as race favourite Two Illicit produced a late run to take third.

Richardson was finding it hard to digest what had just happened as he waited for his charge to return to the Ellerslie birdcage.

“This horse deserves that as he is a real trooper and tries so hard every time,” he said.

“He is a real warhorse.

“I said to Ashvin to take him to the front and try and stack them up, then take off at the 600m as he is one-paced, even though it is a very fast pace.

“This is as big a thrill as anything and it really hasn’t sunk in yet.

‘He has a large bunch of owners and it is incredible for them as this is what they are in it for.”

Richardson confirmed they now would assess what weight the horse would receive for the Collinson Forex Karaka Cup (2200m) at Karaka Million night on January 22, before deciding on the next start for Tiptronic, who is also being set for the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa in February, a race he won in 2020, having finished runner-up the year prior.

Goindasamy was shedding tears of joy as he returned to the Ellerslie birdcage after capturing his first Group One contest, a breakthrough for the Mauritian whose father was a trackwork rider in his homeland.

“This just means everything, the best Christmas ever,” he said.

“During the week I was pretty confident after his last run and he is a Group One winner who would just keep on running.

“He travelled pretty good and had an easy lead and Mr Richardson had told me to get going at the 600m, which I did.

“He just kept giving and did it well.

“My dad always wanted to be a jockey and couldn’t make it, so this is very special for me.

“It’s something I have dreamed about and today I made it happen.”

Tiptronic was bred by Waikato Stud and is by the late champion sire O’Reilly from the Pins mare Tiptoes, a sister to multiple Group One winner Legs.

He has now won eight of his 45 starts and over $758,000 for his large syndicate of owners, after being purchased by Richardson for $100,000 at Karaka in 2015.

The winning result was a special one for co-trainer and former jockey Norvall, who won the race aboard Veyron in 2012 after finishing runner-up on the same horse in 2011, and was landing his first elite level success as a trainer. – NZ Racing Desk

 

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic Gr1 2000m

Ellerslie Track: Dead(4) Time: 2:05.15
1
Tiptronic
- 8g O'Reilly (NZ) x Tiptoes (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: G Richardson & R Norvall Rdr: A C Goindasamy 59
2
1.5
Vernanme
- 6g O'Reilly (NZ) x Bohemian Blues (NZ) (Blues Traveller (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: C J Grylls 59
3
2.3
Two Illicit
- 5m Jimmy Choux (NZ) x Gemini (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: V A Colgan 57
4
2.8
Demonetization
- 7g All Too Hard (AUS) x Midnight Special (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: N W Tiley Rdr: S R Weatherley 59
5
3.0
Cheval Prometteur
- 7g Declaration Of War (USA) x Shibina (IRE) (Kalanisi (IRE))
Tnr: Ms C Cameron Rdr: M Cameron 59
6
4.3
Prise De Fer
- 6g Savabeel (AUS) x Foiled (AUS) (Snippets (AUS))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: O P Bosson 59
7
4.6
Sound
- 9h Lando (GER) x Sky Dancing (IRE) (Exit To Nowhere (USA))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: D S Johnson 59
8
4.9
Concert Hall
- 7m Savabeel (AUS) x Classic Legacy (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: R T Elliot 57
9
5.6
Royal Performer
- 9g Medicean (GB) x Quadri (GB) (Polish Precedent (USA))
Tnr: J & R Vance Rdr: J K Riddell 59
10
6.3
On The Rocks
- 7g Alamosa (NZ) x Cold Shoulder (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: K Asano 59
11
7.7
Harlech
- 5h Darci Brahma (NZ) x Obsession (NZ) (Bachelor Duke (USA))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: M J Mc Nab 59
12
8.8
Aegon
- 4g Sacred Falls (NZ) x Toss Up (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: L G Innes 58.5
13
10.1
House Of Cartier
- 6m Alamosa (NZ) x Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar (USA))
Tnr: Peter Didham Rdr: A J Calder 57
More Reading...
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Coolmore Announce Euro 2025 Fees
Coolmore have announced fees for their 20 strong European sire roster with three new additions City of Troy (Justify), Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact)and Henry Longfellow (Dubawi) and a significant increase for Wootton Bassett, who is currently in Australia.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
Sires With Winners - Monday November 4
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.