Helena Baby captures second Opunake Cup

Breednet - Saturday July 23

Imposing grey galloper Helena Baby returned to his best form when he produced a gritty front-running effort to take out the Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth.

The seven-year-old son of Guillotine made a barnstorming start to his racing career in New Zealand when he put together a five-race winning sequence during the winter of 2019, including victory in the Opunake Cup of that season.

Helena Baby Photo: Race Images

After finishing third to champion mare Melody Belle in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) to close out that campaign the John Bell-trained gelding transferred to Hong Kong where he had a further 14 starts which resulted in a pair of minor placings.

Returned to the care of Bell earlier this year, he has been given a slow build-up with two trials and four race starts before lining up in Saturday’s New Plymouth feature.

Advertisement

Taken straight to the lead by rider Darren Danis, Helena Baby set up a solid speed as he absorbed pressure from Deerfield as the pair duelled out in front.

Danis shot his mount clear rounding the home bend and despite being chased hard by eventual runner-up Cork and third-placed She’s A Maneater, Helena Baby never looked like succumbing as he registered his sixth career victory by two and half lengths at the line.

“With all the effort that has been put into him it was just so pleasing to see him come out and produce like he did today,” Bell said.

“This had been our focus as he was well weighted with 53kgs after carrying around 60kgs for his last two runs.

“His last race at Te Rapa where he ran third really topped him off nicely and I thought he was pretty right for this one.

“We told Darren to make sure he kept handy and to stick to the fence as that has been an advantage all day and he rode him perfectly.”

Bell will now look ahead to the upcoming Hastings Spring Carnival where he has a number of permutations to work through for the three days at Hawke’s Bay.

“He has pulled up brilliantly after the race, so that gives me confidence to look ahead with him,” he said.

“We will be thinking about Hastings and just what races we set him for there.

“He could run in all three Group Ones as I do want to see him take on 2000m during this campaign.

“Whether we go to all three or just to the middle day over 1600m and then the last day over 2040m is what we have to decide.”

The Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) is the feature event on day one of the Carnival at Hawke’s Bay on September 10 followed by the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) on October 1 and the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) on October 15. – NZ Racing Desk 

Advertisment

Race Result - Opunake Cup LR 1400m

New Plymouth Raceway Track: Heavy(10) Time: 1:28.00
1
Helena Baby
- 7g Guillotine (NZ) x Hot Stash (AUS) (Secret Savings (USA))
Tnr: J W Bell Rdr: D J Danis 53
2
2.5
Cork
- 4m Complacent (AUS) x Little Bit Irish (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: T L Taiaroa 53
3
4.0
She's A Maneater
- 5m Reliable Man (GB) x Ebony And Ivory (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: P W Lock Rdr: E H Nicholas 53
4
4.1
Justaskme
- 6g No Excuse Needed (GB) x Often (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: T N Harris 60
5
4.2
Darci La Bella
- 4m Darci Brahma (NZ) x Bellaroof (NZ) (Maroof (USA))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: L J Allpress 55
6
5.7
Deerfield
- 8g Falkirk (NZ) x The Dazzler (NZ) (Centaine (AUS))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: C Dell 54.5
7
7.2
Aromatic
- 5m Sacred Falls (NZ) x Vickezzchardonnay (NZ) (Don Eduardo (NZ))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: J Kamaruddin 53
8
9.5
Crystallize
- 6g Iffraaj (GB) x Crystalina (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: Danny Walker & Arron Tata Rdr: S C Spratt 56.5
9
11.3
Raced Evens
- 5m Zoffany (IRE) x Luscilla (NZ) (Entrepreneur (GB))
Tnr: J Lupton Rdr: C J Grylls 54
10
12.8
Tavis Court
- 6g Tavistock (NZ) x Keep Her Free (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: A M Clement Rdr: M K Hudson 54.5
11
13.0
Mont Ventoux
- 6g Nom Du Jeu (NZ) x Good Reason (NZ) (Lord Ballina (AUS))
Tnr: R P Liefting Rdr: N S Parmar 53.5
12
17.8
Sanibel
- 5m Shamexpress (NZ) x Margaux Belle (NZ) (Kaapstad (NZ))
Tnr: S L Brown Rdr: K R Hercock 53
13
35.8
Oseleta
- 4m Deep Field (AUS) x Riesling (NZ) (Last Tycoon (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: C R Barnes 53
More Reading...
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
Halo Racing Reduction features in November (Late) catalogue
Shares in reigning G1 Caulfield Cup champion Duke de Sessa, G1 Toorak Hcp winner Attrition and tomorrow’s G1 Railway Stakes favourite Light Infantry Man headline an exciting Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
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.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
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.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.