Ghibellines Mare Wins Listed Great Easter

Media Release - Saturday May 7

Local trainer Lance Robinson admitted he wasn’t quite sure where to look halfway down the straight in Saturday’s Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton.

Live Drama stretches away from stablemate Khimar War to win the Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton Photo Credit: Race Images South

Robinson had saddled up stable duo Live Drama and Khimar War in the day’s second black-type feature and with 600m to run both of his chances were looking like they would be right in the fight at the business end of the contest.

That judgement proved spot on as Live Drama scooted up the inner on the point of the home turn for rider Kavish Chowdhoory and took control from then on to score handsomely by just on two lengths from her stablemate who had trouble finding clear air at a crucial stage before storming into second for Tina Comignaghi.

Advertisement

Robinson had found it hard to split the pair before the race but had leant towards Live Drama without total conviction.

“I really thought both horses were very big chances although I did lean a little towards Live Drama as I think she may just have a touch more class than Khimar War,” he said.”

“In the end she really showed her class after a top ride by Kavish.

“He took the initiative to track up along the fence when they were all going wide and when she got to the front, she ran away.

“I was trying to watch them both but ended up on Khimar War to see if he could get second as I knew she had it won with 200m to run.

“It is just a fantastic result for us and very satisfying.”

Robinson will now send Live Drama to the spelling paddock, however he would like to keep Khimar War ticking along with an eye to races coming up on the new Riccarton synthetic track.

“She (Live Drama) has been up since November, so she deserves a break now,” he said.

“She has done a great job for us and while she is out I can sit down with her owners and put a plan together for next season.

“Khimar War is a gross type who I’d like to set for a couple of $30,000 races coming up on the synthetic track.

“He is a gross type who can get away from you when he is spelling, so he will get a break at some stage, but not for too long as we want to keep the weight off him as much as possible.”

By Ghibellines, who was also represented by race one winner Golden Harvest, Live Drama has now won seven of her 22 starts and over $172,000 in prizemoney for her ownership group that includes Robinson and his wife Christine. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - D Bannan Mem. Great Easter Hcp LR 1400m

Riccarton Park Track: Good(3) Time: 1:22.54
1
Live Drama
- 5m Ghibellines (AUS) x Sheeza Drama (AUS) (Pure Theatre (AUS))
Tnr: L M Robinson Rdr: K Chowdhoory 59.5
2
1.8
Khimar War
- 6g Sweet Orange (USA) x Flame Of Atlanta (NZ) (Clay Hero (AUS))
Tnr: L M Robinson Rdr: A Comignaghi 60
3
2.0
Scarfi
- 7m Makfi (GB) x Splitfire (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: Ms T Rae Rdr: T R Moseley 55
4
2.2
Street Fightin Man
- 4g Pure Champion (IRE) x Ruby Tuesday (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: Steven Woodsford Rdr: C W Johnson 53
5
2.4
Monza Circuito
- 7m Showcasing (GB) x Monzahra (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: C A Campbell 56
6
3.4
Harbourside
- 6g Harbour Watch (IRE) x Scattered Dreams (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Ms T Rae Rdr: Ms K Williams 53.5
7
5.8
Severine
- 6m Pins (AUS) x Paris Carver (NZ) (Fast 'n' Famous (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Carston Rdr: T L Newman 53
8
6.5
Ocean Point
- 4m Ocean Park (NZ) x Danger Point (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: R C Dennis Rdr: K Mudhoo 56.5
9
10.3
Beau Stitch
- 5g Per Incanto (USA) x Lago Rider (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: P D Harris Rdr: Brandon May 53.5
More Reading...
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
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 Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
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!
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.
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.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
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.
$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.