Second G1 Win for Shamexpress Mare Coventina Bay

Media Release - Sunday March 13

Classy mare Coventina Bay was up to all of her cantankerous tricks in the pre-race buildup to Sunday’s Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie, but when it came time for business she was at her professional best as she claimed her second Group One victory.

Coventina Bay and Craig Grylls head to the winning post as they take out the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) Photo Credit: Race Images – Kenton Wright

The Robbie Patterson-trained six-year-old had threatened to win at the highest level for quite some time and achieved that goal when she downed race rivals Vernanme and The Chosen One in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa last month.

In a mirror image of that result the daughter of Shamexpress produced another powerful home straight sprint to burst past Vername in the final 100m to win going away by a length with The Chosen One closing off strongly from well back to take third.

Patterson, who had taken a fair bit of rough and tumble from his charge as he attempted to get her and Grylls away to the start after leaving the birdcage, cut an emotional figure after the race.

“She is a cantankerous little sod and gives me a workout every time, but it is normal for her,” he said.

“Her record speaks for itself however — this is unbelievable to tell the truth.

Advertisement

“Bonecrusher was my teenage hero so to win a race named in his honour is pretty special.

“We know she can handle a little bit of chip in the track and the rail is not one hundred percent today, but Craig did it beautifully.

“He knew what he had underneath him and what a little champ she is.”

Patterson was keen to look ahead to a third Group One bid on home soil in New Zealand before possibly turning his sights to a second Australian campaign for the mare.

“We have the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) next month, so I will freshen her up, but they also have an 1800m race at the Gold Coast (Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes), where they can get a bit of cut in the track, which could be an ideal race too,” he said.

“This is my first win at Ellerslie so to get a win here in a Group One is amazing and I am very proud.”

The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes will be run at Te Rapa on April 16, with Te Aroha being renovated, while the Hollindale Stakes is on May 7.

Grylls, who was on his first day back riding after copping a suspension when piloting La Crique to victory in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2200m) on February 19, was delighted to be claim another Group One win aboard the mare.

“It’s brilliant as we got the perfect run,” he said.

“I was three back the fence and at the 1000m I was thinking what are we going to do to get out of this, but I was following Vernanme and he popped off at the 600m and I was able to get a run through.

“The key to her is that she has such a turn of foot and even over a trip, she just outsprints them.

“She switches off in the run and when you ask her to go, she just wants to do it.

“After the line she pulls up and is like a kid’s pony walking back in, but before the race she can be a real handful.

“It’s a big thrill and to win two Group Ones on a mare is pretty special.”

Shamexpress

Bred by co-owner Wayne Darling under his EVB Ltd. Banner, Coventina Bay is by Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress and is a daughter of three-win High Chaparral mare Coventina, from the family of multiple Group One winner Nimue.

She has now won eleven of her 22 starts and over $692,000 in prizemoney. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes Gr1 2000m

Ellerslie Track: Dead(4) Time: 2:05.34
1
Coventina Bay
- 6m Shamexpress (NZ) x Coventina (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: R J Patterson Rdr: C J Grylls 57
2
1.5
Vernanme
- 6g O'Reilly (NZ) x Bohemian Blues (NZ) (Blues Traveller (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: S R Weatherley 59
3
1.6
The Chosen One
- 6h Savabeel (AUS) x The Glitzy One (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: M Cameron 59
4
2.4
Tiptronic
- 8g O'Reilly (NZ) x Tiptoes (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: G Richardson & R Norvall Rdr: A C Goindasamy 59
5
2.7
Amarelinha
- 4m Savabeel (AUS) x Hopscotch (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: J Parkes 57
6
4.7
Field Of Gold
- 3g Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Chasing Mammon (AUS) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: K Asano 54.5
7
11.3
Gino Severini
- 8g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Green Castle (IRE) (Indian Ridge (IRE))
Tnr: B Wallace & G Cooksley Rdr: A J Calder 59
8
14.0
Pep Torque
- 8g Nadeem (AUS) x Cosmic Flight (NZ) (Star Way (GB))
Tnr: Ms K Lawrence Rdr: K R Hercock 59
9
14.7
The Mitigator
- 7g Master Of Design (AUS) x Charming Ruby (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: P N McKay Rdr: S M Mc Kay 59
More Reading...
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Express Yourself Returns to NZ
Group One performer Express Yourself has returned home from her spring campaign in Melbourne and is now on a path towards the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on January 4.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.