New SW for Ocean Park, Dionysus Wins G3 QEII Cup

Media Release - Sunday January 1

The superlatives being used about the riding of ex-pat South African Warren Kennedy went to a new level at Te Rapa on Sunday when he picked up a winning treble that included taking the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) aboard Dionysus.

Warren Kennedy picked up a winning treble at Te Rapa including victory aboard Dionysus in the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) Photo Credit: Trish Dunell

Kennedy displayed superb judgement aboard the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained five-year-old after the son of Ocean Park lacked early enthusiasm and settled well off a strong tempo set by outsider El Nymph.

Kennedy kept his mount in a steady rhythm and crept closer to the business end of the contest as the field approached the home turn.

Dionysus tracked the well fancied Self Obsession into contention and after a brief tussle got the upper hand and went to the line under a good grip to win by half a length with Zee Falls battling on gamely for third.

Kennedy, who had earlier taken the Gr.2 Jamieson Park Auckland Guineas (1600m) for the same training combination aboard Prowess before scoring in the Dunstan Stayers Championship Final (2400m) on the Lance Noble-trained Aquacade, deflected all praise to his mount after the victory.

Advertisement

“I wanted him just ahead of midfield, but he fluffed the start when he threw his head up as the gates opened,” he said.

“We were a bit further back than I wanted, but once the speed was that genuine going past the winning post the first time, I was just where I wanted.

“There was no way they were going to go that fast all the way, so I just bided my time with a lot of confidence and he came through really smartly.

“I know there is quality in the horse and I just had to make sure I got a clear run.

“He switches off really nicely in a race, is an easy horse to ride and gives you just what you want when you ask him.”

Dionysus was a bargain $45,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase.

Raced by James’ long-time stable clients, Ron and Fran Dixon, Dionysus was a $45,000 purchase by James out of the Cambridge Stud draft during the Book 1 sale at Karaka in 2019. He is the 19th stakes-winner for Cox Plate winning sire Ocean Park.

James cut an emotional figure after the race as he praised the Dixons’ contribution to his stable over a number of years.

“We were pretty happy with his whole preparation and were expecting a big run today,” he said.

“It was a truly run race and normally the best horse wins when they are run like that.

“It’s a special thrill as he has some special owners.

“They were my first ever owners and we have had some tremendous success together. We’ve won Derbys, Adelaide Cups and over sixty Group and Listed races where we have been in the first three.

“They are just the most wonderful people to train for and to do this for them is just wonderful.”

James believes there is still more to come from his charge and believes the best may be seen from him in his next campaign, although he has an immediate goal later this month.

“I said to Ron before the race that he will be a better horse next year,” James said.

“Ron was the President of the Wellington Racing Club for a long time and we would dearly love to win the Wellington Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) for him.

“The way the horse relaxed today I don’t think the extra distance will be a problem for him.”

Epona Park will offer a yearling half-sister to Dionysus by Ardrossan as Lot 848 during the Book 2 sale at Karaka later this month.NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Windsor Stud Q.E. II Cup Gr3 2400m

Te Rapa Track: Good(3) Time: 2:27.02
1
Dionysus
- 5g Ocean Park (NZ) x La Quinta (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: W B Kennedy 53
2
0.4
Self Obsession
- 4m Shocking (AUS) x Mawaakib (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: M J Mc Nab 54.5
3
3.4
Zee Falls
- 5m Sacred Falls (NZ) x Zelitist (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: L J Allpress 53
4
3.8
Justamaiz
- 8g Guillotine (NZ) x Arthena (NZ) (Desert Sun (GB))
Tnr: D G Greene Rdr: V A Colgan 57.5
5
4.3
Platinum Invador
- 7g Redwood (GB) x Atomic Dancer (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: J K Riddell 58
6
4.8
Charms Star
- 5m Per Incanto (USA) x Anniesstar (NZ) (Zed (NZ))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: W F Pinn 53
7
5.3
Rapid Falls
- 6m Sacred Falls (NZ) x Sitting On A Hill (NZ) (City On A Hill (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: Joe Doyle 53
8
6.3
Aromatic
- 6m Sacred Falls (NZ) x Vickezzchardonnay (NZ) (Don Eduardo (NZ))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: C J Grylls 53.5
9
6.5
Even Chance
- 7g O'Reilly (NZ) x Toss Up (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M & K Murdoch Rdr: J J Fawcett 53
10
9.6
Viktor Vegas
- 9g Tavistock (NZ) x Purnima (AUS) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: Ms C A Lock Rdr: K Asano 57.5
11
10.0
Peecee Pussycat
- 5g Pure Champion (IRE) x Compact Pussycat (NZ) (Al Akbar (AUS))
Tnr: J W Bell Rdr: K L Hannan 53
12
13.0
El Nymph
- 6m El Roca (AUS) x White Nymph (NZ) (Sir Percy (GB))
Tnr: N & T Elliott Rdr: Tayla Mitchell 53
13
21.6
Cleese
- 5g Sweet Orange (USA) x Kyniska (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy (USA))
Tnr: J W Bell Rdr: M Hashizume 53
More Reading...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Ocean Park Stayer Wins G3 Waikato Cup
Consistent stayer Dionysus provided Roger James and Robert Wellwood with a positive end to a tough week when scoring a fighting victory in the Gr.3 SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m) on Saturday at Te Rapa.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
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.
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.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.