First Stakes Win for Burgundy Mare Sassy Merlot

Media Release - Saturday April 20

An autumn trip to Canterbury has turned out to be career-defining for Matamata mare Sassy Merlot, who added a valuable black-type win to her record in Saturday’s Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton.

A placegetter in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m), Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) as a three-year-old, Sassy Merlot had struggled to find her best form through her four and five-year-old seasons.

Sassy Merlot powers home to score a valuable victory in Saturday’s Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton.  Photo: Ajay Berry (RIS)

An encouraging third at Hastings on February 28 led to co-trainer Pam Gerard sending her down south, where she finished a close fifth in a 1400m open handicap at Riccarton before winning in Rating 75 grade at Ashburton on April 4.

But on Saturday the southern venture paid off in the best way possible with a Listed victory and the lion’s share of the $80,000 stake.

Advertisement

“She’s been a tough horse all the way through,” Gerard said. “It’s just a little bit harder up north, especially when you get tracks that aren’t quite to suit. I’m really pleased now that we talked the owners into coming down.

“She’s come down here and had one-on-one attention over the last few weeks. Richie (Fallon) has just done the most amazing job and got her back into form.

“The Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m) was originally the target, but she just didn’t travel down all that well and we weren’t sure about the distance. She had a nice run over 1400m instead, then went to Ashburton and won there and boosted her confidence.

“When I saw her after I got off the plane this morning, I thought she’d just gone to another level.”

But even the most resurgent racehorses still need things to go to plan once the gates open, and rider Lisa Allpress had some nervous moments in the early part of Saturday’s race. A slow start made Sassy Merlot’s customary front-running tactics impossible, and she instead took up a position in midfield.

Allpress trucked up in Our Echo’s slipstream coming up to the home turn, then switched to the outside and asked Sassy Merlot to quicken. The response was immediate and Sassy Merlot swept to the lead with more than 300m remaining, then kept finding enough down the long Riccarton straight to turn back the late challenges of Third Decree and Millefiori and win by a length.

“That was a strong performance,” Allpress said. “My instructions went out the window a few seconds before we jumped. She was just standing there like a statue, and I knew she wasn’t going to jump well. There wasn’t much I could do about it at that stage.

“I was supposed to ride her forward, but I had no choice but to go back and get some cover, then try to find a nice back to follow into the race. It all worked out nicely in the end and she kicked really well.

“Her last-start win was phenomenal, and I knew she had that residual fitness on her side as well. When I asked her in the straight, she just shot out from underneath me. It was a good feeling.”

Sassy Merlot was bred by Advantageous Ventures Ltd, who offered her in Book 3 of Karaka 2020. The daughter of Burgundy was bought for $24,000 by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables, and her 28-start career has now produced five wins, seven placings and $181,145. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes LR 1400m

Riccarton Park Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:22.63
1
Sassy Merlot
- 5m Burgundy (NZ) x Saveadance (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: L J Allpress 53
2
1
Third Decree
- 4m War Decree (USA) x Elusive Chik (NZ) (Elusive City (USA))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: Ms K Williams 57
3
1.8
Millefiori
- 5m Iffraaj (GB) x Miss Bluebell (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: N S Parmar 56
4
2
Adannaya
- 6m Niagara (AUS) x Elusive Tracy (NZ) (Elusive City (USA))
Tnr: L M Robinson Rdr: J J Fawcett 56
5
2.8
The Radiant One
- 5m Darci Brahma (NZ) x The Diamond One (AUS) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: Dennis Bros Rdr: A Comignaghi 55
6
3.5
Ears Back
- 5m Jakkalberry (IRE) x Makesmewonder (AUS) (Grass Wonder (USA))
Tnr: J C Blackadder Rdr: L T Hemi 55
7
4.3
The Good Shepherd
- 6g Power (GB) x Likeapins (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: S D Blair-edie Rdr: G A Jogoo 53.5
8
4.7
Lord Darci
- 6g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Madam Victoria (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: B & R Wilson Rdr: T R Moseley 56
9
4.8
Hasstobeyou
- 6m Darci Brahma (NZ) x Sinead (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: R C Dennis Rdr: S L Wynne 53
10
5.1
Burnvue
- 8g Redwood (GB) x Instant Candy (NZ) (Canny Lad (AUS))
Tnr: L M Robinson Rdr: A C Goindasamy 53.5
11
5.7
Emanon
- 5m Burgundy (NZ) x Geordie Girl (NZ) (Towkay (AUS))
Tnr: L G Dobbs Rdr: U A Holmquist 58
12
5.8
Our Echo
- 7g Echoes Of Heaven (AUS) x Sakura Cluden (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: D B Frye Rdr: L Sutherland 59
13
7.3
Goodanya
- 8g Zacinto (GB) x Anya (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: Ainsley Mcleod Rdr: K Chowdhoory 54
14
9.2
The Hottie
- 6m Swiss Ace (AUS) x The Countessa (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Robbie Patterson Rdr: C R Barnes 55
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.
Star Turn's Beauty Destiny On Fire in HK
The penny has well and truly dropped for Star Turn’s Beauty Destiny, winning his fourth race in five starts at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Breeders Cup Turf Mile Winner To Stand At Yulong In 2025
Yulong is delighted to announce the acquisition of G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile winner More Than Looks, who will join their Victorian roster in 2025.
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.
Breednet on Tour – All Things Cambridge Stud
When my daughter Jasmine was given the task of taking Konasana to New Zealand by her boss Chris Waller it was originally proposed as a likely 10 day trip, but when the Dundeel mare won the $500,000 Group II Westbury Stud Classic on Karaka Million night, plans changed and long story short, Jasmine is still there and will be until next month so I’ve grabbed the opportunity for a working holida
New Record Priced Colt Early at MM Perth
A new record price for a colt at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling was set early on Day One which was also a new record for a colt by his sire Playing God.
About Time Chasing G3 Avondale Cup - Half-Brother for Inglis Easter
The Lance Noble-trained About Time will be rewarded for her consistent run of form with a tilt at stakes level for the first time in more than a year when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday.
Playing God Youngster Sets Colt Record in Perth
The all time record price for a colt at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale was broken on Thursday with a youngster by Playing God topping proceedings when selling for $450,000.
Star mares confirmed among early entries for Chairman's Sale
Entries for the 2025 Inglis Chairman’s Sale – a world class boutique auction for elite breeding stock – are now open.
Aussie So You Think Raider Kicks Of NZ Derby Tilt on Saturday
Expatriate Kiwi trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are hoping for a case of third time lucky with their staying three-year-old Thedoctoroflove.