Alamosa Mare Wins Group Three

Media Release - Saturday September 15

Wanganui raider She's Poppy overcame a horror trip in transit to claim her biggest victory on Saturday when she prevailed in the Group III Boehringer Ingelheim 1550 at Awapuni.

She's Poppy - Race ImagesThe lightly raced seven-year-old has raced exclusively in stakes company during her current campaign with a win first-up at Awapuni in the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1550m) followed by a runner-up finish on her home track in the Listed Ag Challenge Stakes (1590m) in June. Following a brief let-up, she tackled the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton last month where she produced another game effort when placed second behind Platinum Command.

Allowed plenty of time to get over the Riccarton exertions, trainer Raymond Connors had his charge in tip-top condition for her Awapuni assignment where she proved too tough in a driving finish, despite having to sit three-wide throughout the contest.

With regular pilot Shaun McKay in the saddle the Alamosa mare called on all her reserves to put her head in front where it counted as she out-finished the well supported pair of Art Deco and Dez who filled the minor placings.

"I've never ridden a horse with a heart that size, she really tries," McKay said after the race.

"I probably didn't get the best run but where she was she was travelling nicely. I got the roll when I wanted it and that last 100m she really tried to win.

"When she's fresh you know she's going to be hard to beat."

Connors agreed that spacing the mare's runs was the key to her success.

"She's had a great winter and is a good mare," he said.

"We seem to have worked her out and she definitely races better that way (fresh) with space.

"Everything has worked out to plan and it's all come together."

A $40,000 purchase from the Venture Thoroughbreds Ltd. draft at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, She's Poppy has now won eight of her 28 career starts and just over $214,000 in prizemoney. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Group 1 Glory for On The Rocks (NZ)
$40,000 Select Sale graduate On The Rocks (NZ) (Alamosa) was already a dual Group 2 winner who had delivered priceless thrills for his owners, but he went to a new level in Saturday’s $400,000 Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa.
Has John Sargent Got Another Oaks Winner in the Pipeline?
John Sargent is on target to send one Group One prospect across the Tasman from Australia, while he has received a filly from New Zealand for a possible Sydney Group One mission.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
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.
Karaka Bargain Wins Memorial Trophy
$10,000 Karaka weanling purchase Mr Crowe (NZ) (Alamosa) produced a strong performance to win Sunday’s RM65,000 Dr Lim Ah Soo Memorial Trophy (1400m) at Penang.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
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.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Everything is Car Pie
Tineke Balcombe’s $2,600 gavelhouse,com New Zealand purchase Car Pie proved too good for her rivals at Hokitika yesterday to break her maiden with a dominant display.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.