First Stakes-Winner for Atlante

Tara Madgwick - Saturday September 7

Hastings visitor Riva Capri indicated she will be a filly to watch at a higher level over the next few months after she broke her maiden status in stakes company when taking out the Listed The O'Leary's Fillies Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui.

Riva Capri - Race Images Peter RuberyRaced in the colours of well-known owner Lib Petagna under his JML Bloodstock banner, the Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen-trained three-year-old had looked a likely type when flashing home late for second on debut at her Hastings home track back in July.

Unsighted since that performance, Riva Capri was overlooked by most punters who sent out the well-performed pair of Flaunting and She's A Lady as favourites for the contest along with the unbeaten Trifolium.

After enjoying a comfortable run behind the pace for rider Craig Grylls, Riva Capri moved into contention on the point of the home turn as Trifolium took over from pace-making stablemate, Miss Sweet Pee.

Trifolium and Riva Capri set down to a dour battle in the home straight with Riva Capri getting her nose down at the right time to claim victory. The JML Bloodstock-owned Sorrentina ran on nicely to grab third from She's A Lady who battled on strongly after being wide throughout.

Co-trainer Guy Lowry indicated another black type assignment was on the cards for his charge after claiming the victory despite a belated start to her campaign after she missed a run at Taupo when the races were abandoned midway through the programme.

"We were a little bit worried after missing a run at Taupo," he said.

"I think her condition probably told in the last 50m but she was gutsy enough to hang on.

"We will back up in the Group Three at Hastings in a couple of weeks and then we will go from there."

Lowry was speaking about the Gr.3 Hawke's Bay Breeders' Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) that will be run at Hastings on September 21.

Bred by Petagna, Riva Capri is the first stakes winner for the ill-fated Mapperley Stud stallion Atlante, who passed away in 2016 after completing his second season at stud.

She is a half-sister to stakes-placed Style by Design and is the second winner from stakes-winning High Chaparral (IRE) mare  Chaparella. - NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
First Winner for Ill-Fated Atlante
The ill-fated Atlante sired his first winner at Hastings on Thursday when Callsign Mav took out the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (800m).
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Atlante First Stakes-Winner Bittersweet
The victory of promising three-year-old filly Riva Capri in Saturday’s Listed The O’Learys Fillies Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui conjured up mixed emotions for well known bloodstock agent Bruce Perry.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
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.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.