New SW The Bold One - Mary Louise Wins G3 Wellington Cup

Media Release - Saturday January 20

Trainer Robbie Patterson has had his New Plymouth stable firing on all cylinders of late but even he couldn’t believe he would pick up the two feature events at Trentham on Saturday.

Craig Grylls completes a Group-double with Robbie Patterson aboard Mary Louise in the Gr.3 NZ Campus of Sport and Innovation Wellington Cup (3200m) Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Rider Craig Grylls, a close friend of Patterson, shared in the top drawer double as he guided statuesque gelding Puntura to victory in the Gr.1 Harcourts Team Group Thorndon Mile (1600m) before combining with Mary Louise to take out the time honoured Gr.3 NZ Campus of Sport and Innovation Wellington Cup (3200m) with another peach of a ride.

There was sensation early in the two-mile contest as race favourite Waisake dropped rider Matt Cameron after appearing to clip heels when racing in tight quarters towards the rear of the field. Cameron would later make his way unaided to the on-course ambulance and was reported to have suffered no significant injuries.

Advertisement

Grylls missed all the drama as he settled Mary Louise just in front of the melee and slowly crept forward to sit three wide in midfield before asking the daughter of underrated Taranaki sire The Bold One to move into contention approaching the home turn.

Mary Louise quickly took over and under strong riding from Grylls held out the late challenges of Fierce Flight and Canheroc to win by a length at the line and register career win number seven.

Patterson appeared more than a little overwhelmed as he accepted congratulations after the contest.

“I’m very emotional to win this as it means a lot to me and is very special.” Patterson said.

“This is a very iconic race and while we in the Taranaki may not always have the best bred horses, we really punch above our weight and I’m very proud of that.

“She (Mary Louise) over-raced a bit early on as she is used to going a bit quicker, but then she found her rhythm.

“She was three, four and even five wide at times so it was a pretty good effort although she stays longer than a mother-in-law.

“How do you beat this (winning a Group One as well as the Cup), well you can’t and I’m so proud.”

Grylls was wearing a smile a mile wide as he explained how the race panned out for him and how it wasn’t the first time he had achieved a victory in both races on the same day..

“Ten years ago, I won both races on the same day with A Touch Of Ruby (Thorndon Mile) and Graphic (Wellington Cup) which was back in 2014,” he said.

“This is the best and to do it for Robbie and Eddie Bourke (part-owner) is outstanding as they are such great people.

“The last few starts she had tailed off and I couldn’t get her to go whereas today she actually pulled for the first half of the race and I had a job to settle her.

“I was on the outer and had cover and when I gave her a click up she came up underneath me and I knew I was travelling pretty sweet.”

Racing in the colours of co-breeder and part-owner Eddie Bourke, Mary Louise has now won seven of her 15 starts and $326,375 in prizemoney.

She is the third stakes-winner for Fastnet Rock stallion the Bold One joining One Bold Cat and Bold Mac.   

The race also marked the final call for iconic commentator Tony Lee who is hanging up the binoculars after a storied and well respected fourty-year career. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Visit the profile page for The Bold One

The Bold One in upcoming sales:
Advertisment

Race Result - NZ Campus For Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup Gr3 3200m

Trentham Track: Soft(6) Time: 3:23.65
1
Mary Louise
- 5m The Bold One (NZ) x Daisy Louise (NZ) (Catbird (AUS))
Tnr: R J Patterson Rdr: C J Grylls 56
2
1.3
Fierce Flight
- 5g Flying Artie (AUS) x First Bloom (AUS) (Dylan Thomas (IRE))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: J K Riddell 58
Flying Artie
3
2.6
Canheroc
- 6g El Roca (AUS) x Goldie Cantride (NZ) (Colombia (NZ))
Tnr: C J Wood Rdr: K A Myers 53
4
3.4
Roccia
- 6m Iffraaj (GB) x Roc De Chine (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: W B Kennedy 53
5
3.7
Bluey's Chance
- 10g Remind (USA) x Opera Dancer (AUS) (Rigoletto (AUS))
Tnr: Kenny Moore Rdr: M K Hudson 53
6
5
Uareastar
- 7m Jakkalberry (IRE) x Enchanteress (NZ) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: F J Auret Rdr: W F Pinn 57.5
7
5.1
Ess Vee Are
- 5g Shocking (AUS) x Reiveke (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Darryn & Briar Weatherley Rdr: S R Weatherley 55.5
8
6.1
Never Look Back
- 5g Shocking (AUS) x Pirinitete (NZ) (Johar (USA))
Tnr: Ms G Temperton Rdr: L T Hemi 53
9
6.6
Noble Knight
- 6g Ghibellines (AUS) x Flight Arrival (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: Ms S Cunningham Rdr: D W Stackhouse 56
10
7.4
Blackwood Star
- 7m Redwood (GB) x Miss Ana (NZ) (Traditionally (USA))
Tnr: D M O'Leary Rdr: L J Allpress 53
11
11.9
Leaderboard
- 9g Street Cry (IRE) x Flower Fairy (USA) (Dynaformer (USA))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: Joe Doyle 54
12
12.2
Rischio
- 6m Pentire (GB) x Biscuit (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: A L Brown Rdr: S C Spratt 53
13
13
Prince Alby
- 5g Sacred Falls (NZ) x Oya (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA))
Tnr: Kelvin Tyler Rdr: K R Hercock 54
14
15.5
Enchanted Elle
- 6m Jakkalberry (IRE) x Ististar (NZ) (Istidaad (USA))
Tnr: S C Phelan Rdr: E H Nicholas 55.5
15
99.9
Kingfisher Lad
- 6g Unencumbered (AUS) x Mamasan (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: C Dell 54
More Reading...
One to Watch – New Year’s Day
There was an overload of racing right around the country on New Year’s Day and rightly so given our national interest in horse racing as a sport to be enjoyed over the holiday break and there was a winner that did catch my eye, but until now have not had a chance to put my thoughts into a story.
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Australian Stud and Stable Staff Awards
The Australian Stud and Stable Staff Awards proudly announce the commencement of nominations, welcoming you to appreciate, celebrate and motivate individuals shaping the future of our industry. This is your chance to show your gratitude as we honour the commitment and passion displayed by the backbone of our industry and great sport.
Rich Hill Mile Sponsorship Rewarded
Rich Hill Stud has enjoyed a lengthy and successful association with an Ellerslie feature, with the 2025 edition one of extra special significance for the Waikato nursery.
Black Type Bid for Sassy Lass
Wexford Stables are hoping their purple patch of form can continue at Trentham on Saturday where they will line-up three runners in two of the feature events on the card.
Yaldi Moves into Karaka 3YO Million Contention
Cambridge stables have a proud recent record in the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), and Yaldi (NZ) (Ardrossan) has emerged as a chance to uphold that tradition at Ellerslie later this month.
Vale, Hayasugi
A brilliant winner of the 2024 Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, top class three year-old filly Hayasugi is sadly no longer with us with her trainer Clinton McDonald announcing the tragic news of her passing on Thursday.
Real Class Sold to Australian Bloodstock - Set to Join Waller Stable
This week’s Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) winner Real Class has been sold across the Tasman to Australian Bloodstock, but the promising filly may remain with her Byerley Park trainer Jenna Mahoney for a $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) campaign.
Weather Watch for Skew Wiff Ahead of G1 on Saturday
Only one part of Skew Wiff’s build-up to the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on Saturday has not gone to plan for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, and it is a factor beyond their control.
Quickfire Double Strengthens Karaka Millions Hand for Rutten and Bergerson
Awapuni trainer Roydon Bergerson and respected yearling buyer Chris Rutten have had a dream start to 2025 with their $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) contenders.
Bourbon Empress a Great Result for Highline Thoroughbreds
The emergence of Bourbon Empress has gone a long way toward confirming a future plan for Highline Thoroughbreds.