No Nay Never Filly Wins Listed Warstep Stakes

Media Release - Saturday April 20

Central Districts filly No Rain Ever bounced back from an uncharacteristically poor performance seven days ago at Riccarton to secure a hard fought stakes victory when taking out the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m).

The daughter of No Nay Never had been strongly supported in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) but never really figured when finishing ninth behind impressive winner Epee Beel, who brought up co-trainer Michael Pitman’s 2000th New Zealand winner.

Lily Sutherland guides No Rain Ever to a hard-fought victory in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m).  Photo: Ajay Berry (RIS)

Lily Sutherland guides No Rain Ever to a hard-fought victory in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m). Photo: Ajay Berry (RIS)

Trainer Bill Thurlow was prepared to overlook the run and with apprentice Lily Sutherland in the saddle for the first time, his charge repaid that faith courtesy of a peach of a ride.

Sutherland had the filly back beyond midfield against the rail in the early stages before sneaking closer at the 800m and then angling into a gap wider out rounding the home bend.

No Rain Ever burst to the lead and despite being hotly challenged by Sense of Timing over the final 100m she found enough to hold her at bay with fellow northern raider Race Ace running on nicely to take third.

Sutherland was thrilled with the win and was quick to acknowledge the connections of the filly and the trust they placed in her.

“I’m just very thankful to be put on her,” Sutherland said.

“I was supposed to ride her more forward but I thought I’d better not panic (when she was further back).

“She has come through them really easily and got the front too soon, wobbled around but it was a really good win.

“Bill (Thurlow) has supported me since I was a 4kg claimer and I’m very thankful to him.”

No Rain Ever is a daughter of Group Two winner and multiple Group One placegetter November Rain and is raced by her breeders, former New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Matthew Goodson and his wife Dianna Perron.

Her extended family includes a host of International stakes performers including American Group One winners Will’s Way, Willa On The Move and Tizway.

The victory took her career record to three wins and five placings from 12 starts and over $136,000 in prizemoney. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Race Result - New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes LR 2000m

Riccarton Park Track: Soft(5) Time: 2:03.78
1
No Rain Ever
- 3f No Nay Never (USA) x November Rain (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: W J Thurlow Rdr: L Sutherland 56.5
2
0.4
Sense Of Timing
- 3f Time Test (GB) x Pin Up Lae (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: A C Goindasamy 56.5
3
2.4
Race Ace
- 3f Swiss Ace (AUS) x Megan's Tough Love (USA) (Rahy (USA))
Tnr: F J Auret Rdr: L J Allpress 56.5
4
3.4
Quintabelle
- 3f Embellish (NZ) x La Quinta (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: S Kennedy & A Furlong Rdr: S L Wynne 56.5
5
3.6
Epee Beel
- 3f Epaulette (AUS) x Pipi Beel (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: A Comignaghi 56.5
6
5.2
American Cheval
- 3f American Pharoah (USA) x Zone Regard (IRE) (Acclamation (GB))
Tnr: Terry Kennedy Rdr: C A Campbell 56.5
7
6.9
Caffeinated
- 3f Belardo (IRE) x Frappuccino (NZ) (Mastercraftsman (IRE))
Tnr: Ebony Turner Rdr: K Mudhoo 56.5
8
7.8
Mazzucato
- 3f Tivaci (AUS) x Yellen (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: N S Parmar 56.5
9
8.7
Tetbury
- 3f Tavistock (NZ) x Dazzling Lady (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: S Kennedy & A Furlong Rdr: L Callaway 56.5
10
8.9
Texas Dolly
- 3f Ace High (AUS) x Saveadance (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Ms T Rae Rdr: L T Hemi 56.5
11
12
Funfetti
- 3f Embellish (NZ) x Alternative Fact (NZ) (Medaglia D'oro (USA))
Tnr: J & K Parsons & V Ramhit Rdr: U A Holmquist 56.5
12
12.1
It's Doris
- 3f Telperion (AUS) x Casa Blanca (NZ) (Postponed (USA))
Tnr: Robbie Patterson Rdr: C R Barnes 56.5
13
13.5
Quick Call
- 3f Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Express Call (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Kelvin Tyler Rdr: J J Fawcett 56.5
14
14
Radiant Reach
- 3f Vadamos (FR) x Eagle's Reach (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Kelvin Tyler Rdr: T R Moseley 56.5
15
14.2
Loren
- 3f Almanzor (FR) x Actressa (AUS) (Denman (AUS))
Tnr: Ms E J Wyatt Rdr: K Chowdhoory 56.5
More Reading...
Bargain Hellbent Filly Heading For Black Type
Legendary trainer Les Bridge can make something special out of a horse and will likely tackle stakes grade with his up and coming bargain Hellbent filly Scintilla after making it three in a row on Wednesday.
Yulong Acquire Australian Guineas Favourite
Yulong have announced they have acquired ruling Australian Guineas favourite Angel Capital.
G1 Progeny Among Early Entries For Inglis Weanling Sales Series
Amongst the highlights of the 2025 Inglis Weanling Sales Series is sure to be the draft of Dorrington Farm-bred weanlings – which will be offered in conjunction with Noorilim Park – at the Australian Weanling Sale on May 5-6.
Entries Open For 2025 Inglis Weanling Sales Series
The 2025 Inglis Weanling Sales Series – the most lucrative weanling sales series in the Southern Hemisphere – is now open for entries.
Sydney 2YO Wednesday - High Prices and 1st Season Sires
The two year-old race at Warwick Farm on Wednesday is an interesting, and seemingly open, one which sees the second highest priced Farnan yearling of 2024 entered, along with the third highest priced I Am Invincible along with several other first season sire debutants.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday February 18
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Silver Slipper Looks Gold - 4 of Top 7 To Clash
The fields are out for Saturday’s Rosehill card and the Silver Slipper has produced a salivating line up where we’ll see the next run of boom Wootton Bassett colt Wodeton in a race which includes four of the top seven in the Golden Slipper market.
Farnan Colt A Debut Winner - Slipper Crack Coming
High priced Farnan colt King Of Pop will be given his chance to get to the Golden Slipper after a debut win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Racing Australia Invests In Study Into Early Detection Of Injury Risk
Racing Australia’s Research and Development Fund today announced in conjunction with the Equine Genetics Research Centre (EGRC) and Telemedvet, a combined investment of over $400,000 into a 12-month project to perform a cross-sectional study of a serum biomarker in the clinical investigation of equine musculoskeletal injuries.
Riccarton 2YO Winner for Maurice
Progressive juvenile Best Rose turned the tables on her key rival at Riccarton Park on Wednesday, scoring an impressive second-up victory in The Tea House At Riccarton Park 2YO (1000m).