El Roca Mare on Target for G1 on Wednesday

Media Release - Tuesday October 1

Ultra-consistent mare Faraglioni is out to shed her bridesmaid’s tag in Wednesday’s Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Matamata.

Three weeks’ ago, the daughter of El Roca finished a game runner-up to Grail Seeker in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m), an identical result to last season’s Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m) and Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m).

Josh Shaw, who trains Faraglioni out of Levin, had the fortune of basing her in Hawke’s Bay throughout the week prior to the original Arrowfield meeting on Saturday, which was abandoned following to the first race.

Advertisement

Group One contender Faraglioni during an exhibition gallop at Taupo last month.  Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

“I think she’s probably better off than most because she didn’t have that travel up to Hastings last week, I based her up there for the week prior,” he said.

“Every other horse was likely either in transit or on course, but she never left her box.

“Going up to Matamata (on Tuesday) will just be like travelling for any other race for her really.”

While delighted with her effort in the Tarzino, Shaw is hopeful the mare can collect a deserved stakes crown at the rescheduled meeting, where Johnathon Riddell remains on board from barrier 10.

“Her run in the Tarzino was very good, I was expecting with that draw that she would be able to position up where she wanted to and she just ran into one better unfortunately,” he said.

“She had a good piece of work on Sunday morning, she worked with a mate of Guy Lowry’s and that ended up being her final piece of work. She had a trot and a canter today and will do the same before travelling up.

“Hopefully we can go one better.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Exception to the Rule – Family Connections
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that if a mare is going to produce a stakes-winner, she’s going to do it within the first four foals she delivers, but there are always exceptions to every rule and we saw a high profile one last Saturday.
Karaka Book 1 - Pinhook Winners
The NZB National Yearling Sale Book 1 was held earlier this week and as always there are a good selection of Australian bred yearlings offered that are pinhooked from various sales here and we’re taking a look at the most profitable and you can also check out the full list of all that were offered.
Satono Aladdin Goes Back to Back at Karaka Book 2
Rich Hill Stud stallion Satono Aladdin has provided the headline acts of Book 2 of Karaka 2025, siring the highest-priced lots on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Savabeel Filly Pointing Towards NZ Derby
With an eye to the future, the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) is the preferred Classic option for talented filly Hinekaha.
El Roca Mare Ready for G2 Westbury Stud Classic
Levin trainer Josh Shaw left Foxton a happy man on Tuesday after his Group One performer Faraglioni took out her 1200m trial ahead of next Saturday’s Gr.2 Westbury Stud Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie.
Pencarrow Mare Chasing More Black Type
Classy mare Pearl Of Alsace will have an opportunity to get back in the winning groove at New Plymouth on Saturday, tackling the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m).
Blue Point Colt Chasing Kiwi G1
Next week’s Legends Day at Te Rapa will have a strong international flavour, with Sydney trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald set to tackle the meeting’s two Group One features with a pair of high-profile runners.
Patella Bloodstock - Kneebone builds firepower for training venture
A productive week of shopping at Karaka has helped to put up-and-coming horseman Nick Kneebone on a path towards New Zealand’s training ranks.
G1 Goal for El Roca Mare
Josh Shaw tasted Group glory with Hinepara last year and he has got a craving for more.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
The big guns were in action at Warwick Farm on Thursday morning with the likes of Via Sistina (IRE), Ceolwulf and Fangirl stepping out as well as glamour three year-olds Switzerland, Broadsiding, Private Life and Lady Shenandoah, but they have been well exposed through social media so we’ll stick to the juveniles and they also held plenty of autumn promise.