Graduates Shine On Cup Week Stage Across Australasia
Meant To Be (NZ) comes of ages in Group One Triumph.
< go.nzb.co.nz/e/934603/2024-11-21/4km1y/456493105/h/iDE2YHd9-UwIYgd35qrj9Oln9MU2oYYvKQidu7RqfnU >
**Merlin (NZ) Deals To Rivals In Group One FFA —————————————————-
Merlin’s (NZ) (Art Major) commanding victory in the $200,000 Allied Security Group One New Zealand Free-For-All (1980m) left a stellar field without an excuse in the world.
The NZB Standardbred graduate was forced to work harder than any of his rivals from his tough draw at Addington on Show Day.
But his tough task could not stop the brilliant four-year-old from unleashing a powerhouse performance to win for trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan and driver Zachary Butcher.
When things got serious on the home turn, Merlin and Butcher set down for a homestraight battle with Australian stars Catch A Wave (AUS) (Captaintreacherous) and Kate Gath.
And it was a task they were well and truly up for.
“He felt amazing today, he just travelled so well for me,” Butcher said.
“When I asked him, he really put the race away quickly.”
With his outstanding win, Merlin took his career earnings past an impressive $1.3million in just 33 starts.
“He’s taken me on such a special ride on this horse, he’d have to be my favourite now,” Butcher said.
READ > < go.nzb.co.nz/e/934603/als-to-rivals-in-group-one-ffa/4km22/456493105/h/iDE2YHd9-UwIYgd35qrj9Oln9MU2oYYvKQidu7RqfnU >
** —————————————————-
**Meant To Be (NZ) Comes Of Ages in Group One Triumph —————————————————-
Meant To Be (NZ) (Father Patrick) left no doubt about his status as New Zealand’s best two-year-old trotter with his dominant victory in the $110,000 Group One Sires Stakes Series Final (1980m).
The trotter’s talent has never been questioned throughout his short but brilliant career but his ringcraft have been a work in progress.
Meant To Be thrilled his driver with his manners and tractability in his first attempt at Group One level.
“He’s really come of age,” Butcher said.
“I said to the boys that he had really grown up a bit with the trip away and he showed that by putting it all together when it mattered today.”
With wins in the Group One Sires Stakes Series Final and the lucrative Listed Harness Million Two-Year-Old Trot (1980m) in his last two starts, Meant To Be is the red-hot favourite for the $100,000 Group One Ace Of Clubs (1980m) at Addington on November 29.
Meant To Be topped the trotting section 2023 National Yearling Sale at Auckland when he was secured for $145,000 by his trainers.
The classy squaregaiter was offered by breeder-vendors Breckon Farms and is raced by Katrina Purdon and the Clear View Racing No.6 Syndicate.
READ > < go.nzb.co.nz/e/934603/s-of-ages-in-group-one-triumph/4km25/456493105/h/iDE2YHd9-UwIYgd35qrj9Oln9MU2oYYvKQidu7RqfnU >
** —————————————————-
**Kiss (NZ) Crushes Rivals in Group Two Breeders Crown Triumph —————————————————-
A brilliant staying performance saw Kiss (NZ) (Always B Miki)dominate the A$100,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Fillies Final (2240m) at Melton on Saturday night.
The NZB Standardbred graduate worked harder than her rivals, racing three-wide and then parked throughout the Victorian feature.
But the classy New Zealand bred shrugged off that extra effort, still managing to unleash a brilliant 26.7sec final 400m to record a big win for trainer Emma Stewart and driver James Herbertson.
Herbertson was caught wide early from barrier 7, electing to keep Kissout of trouble working her up outside the leader.
The reinsman admitted he had little other option, but it let the filly’s outstanding staying prowess shine through.
“She had to do it the hard from the barrier draw,” Herbertson said.
“She probably lacks that little bit of gate speed if she did draw well to be tactical, but she is so strong.”
Kiss was purchased by Montana Park for $20,000 when she was offered by Alabar at the 2021 National Weanling Sale at Auckland.
Breckon Farms is set to offer another outstanding draft at the 2025 National Yearling Sale at Karaka on February 25.
READ > < go.nzb.co.nz/e/934603/vals-in-breeders-crown-triumph/4km28/456493105/h/iDE2YHd9-UwIYgd35qrj9Oln9MU2oYYvKQidu7RqfnU >
** —————————————————-
**Chynchilla (NZ) Speeds to Group Three Success —————————————————-
Chynchilla (NZ) (Sunshine Beach)unleashed sizzling speed to cap her incredible form in the A$52,000 Group Three Forever Gold Mares Open (1660m) at Albion Park this month.
The New Zealand bred has been a revelation since moving to Queensland and she extended her brilliant record in the sunshine state with a powerful front-running win for trainer Donny Smith and driver Nathan Dawson.
Chynchilla was purchased by Victorian horseman Shane Sanderson for the bargain price of $3700 when she was offered at the 2020 All Age Sale on gavelhouse.com
The four-year-old began her career in Victoria putting together a solid record before joining owners Jason Gaffney Mark, Greg and Bailey Hartwig in Queensland.
From the Smith stable, Chynchilla has won nine of her 12 starts in Queensland, culminating in her brilliant all-the-way Group Three win at Albion Park.
READ > < go.nzb.co.nz/e/934603/chilla-nz-speeds-to-g3-success/4km2c/456493105/h/iDE2YHd9-UwIYgd35qrj9Oln9MU2oYYvKQidu7RqfnU >
** —————————————————-
**Better Knuckle Up (NZ) Brilliant in Historical The Velocity Win —————————————————-
Better Knuckle Up (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight)made history on Show Day at Addington with his powerful performance to win the $500,000 Listed Hill Lee & Scott The Velocity (1980m).
The NZB Standardbred graduate became the first winner of a slot race in New Zealand when he stormed home from off the pace to win the lucrative three-year-old feature for trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan.
Better Knuckle Up and driver Zachary Butcher gave fellow NZB Standardbred and favourite Chase The Dream (NZ) (Captaintreacherous)and Blair Orange a good head start after settling in midfield.
Better Knuckle Up is raced by Peter and Joan Stott, following his purchase for $90,000 at the 2022 National Yearling Sale at Karaka.
The pacer was secured by Frank Cooney, as agent, when he was offered among Breckon Farms’ draft.
READ > < go.nzb.co.nz/e/934603/in-historical-the-velocity-win/4km2g/456493105/h/iDE2YHd9-UwIYgd35qrj9Oln9MU2oYYvKQidu7RqfnU >
** —————————————————-
**Dance Till Dawn Soars Home in Mares Classic —————————————————-
Dance Till Dawn (NZ) (Art Major)gained overdue reward when she stormed home to win the $60,000 Listed Bob McArdle Sires Stakes Southern Mares Classic (1980m) at Addington on Show Day.
The brilliantly consistent NZB Standardbred graduate powered down centre track to go one better than her gritty second placing in the annual mares feature for trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn and driver John Dunn.
Dance Till Dawn drifted towards the back of the field on a strong early speed setting her a big task with a lap to go.
But when John Dunn was able to find a tow into the event three wide, the five-year-old was close enough on the turn to strike.
And she did exactly that to overpower the leaders and record the second black-type win of her outstanding career, having previously taken out the $40,000 Uncut Gems Mares Classic (2600m) at the same track.
In winning, Dance Till Dawn took her career earnings just short of $250,000 for owners Alan Neumann, Ian Neumann, Vinnie Neumann, Emma Hintz, Brent Clarke, Jonathan Slack and Su Langdon.
The group secured Dance Till Dawn through the Dunns’ Diamond Racing who purchased the mare for $40,000 from breeder-vendors Taffy Ltd at the 2020 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.
READ > < go.nzb.co.nz/e/934603/wn-soars-home-in-mares-classic/4km2k/456493105/h/iDE2YHd9-UwIYgd35qrj9Oln9MU2oYYvKQidu7RqfnU >
** —————————————————-
[Image alt text: New Zealand Bloodstock] < www.nzbstandardbred.co.nz >
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© New Zealand Bloodstock.
10 Hinau Road, Karaka, 2113, New Zealand.
< go.nzb.co.nz/e/934603/2024-11-21/4km1y/456493105/h/iDE2YHd9-UwIYgd35qrj9Oln9MU2oYYvKQidu7RqfnU >
**Merlin (NZ) Deals To Rivals In Group One FFA —————————————————-
Merlin’s (NZ) (Art Major) commanding victory in the $200,000 Allied Security Group One New Zealand Free-For-All (1980m) left a stellar field without an excuse in the world.
The NZB Standardbred graduate was forced to work harder than any of his rivals from his tough draw at Addington on Show Day.
But his tough task could not stop the brilliant four-year-old from unleashing a powerhouse performance to win for trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan and driver Zachary Butcher.
When things got serious on the home turn, Merlin and Butcher set down for a homestraight battle with Australian stars Catch A Wave (AUS) (Captaintreacherous) and Kate Gath.
And it was a task they were well and truly up for.
“He felt amazing today, he just travelled so well for me,” Butcher said.
“When I asked him, he really put the race away quickly.”
With his outstanding win, Merlin took his career earnings past an impressive $1.3million in just 33 starts.
“He’s taken me on such a special ride on this horse, he’d have to be my favourite now,” Butcher said.
READ > < go.nzb.co.nz/e/934603/als-to-rivals-in-group-one-ffa/4km22/456493105/h/iDE2YHd9-UwIYgd35qrj9Oln9MU2oYYvKQidu7RqfnU >
** —————————————————-
**Meant To Be (NZ) Comes Of Ages in Group One Triumph —————————————————-
Meant To Be (NZ) (Father Patrick) left no doubt about his status as New Zealand’s best two-year-old trotter with his dominant victory in the $110,000 Group One Sires Stakes Series Final (1980m).
The trotter’s talent has never been questioned throughout his short but brilliant career but his ringcraft have been a work in progress.
Meant To Be thrilled his driver with his manners and tractability in his first attempt at Group One level.
“He’s really come of age,” Butcher said.
“I said to the boys that he had really grown up a bit with the trip away and he showed that by putting it all together when it mattered today.”
With wins in the Group One Sires Stakes Series Final and the lucrative Listed Harness Million Two-Year-Old Trot (1980m) in his last two starts, Meant To Be is the red-hot favourite for the $100,000 Group One Ace Of Clubs (1980m) at Addington on November 29.
Meant To Be topped the trotting section 2023 National Yearling Sale at Auckland when he was secured for $145,000 by his trainers.
The classy squaregaiter was offered by breeder-vendors Breckon Farms and is raced by Katrina Purdon and the Clear View Racing No.6 Syndicate.
READ > < go.nzb.co.nz/e/934603/s-of-ages-in-group-one-triumph/4km25/456493105/h/iDE2YHd9-UwIYgd35qrj9Oln9MU2oYYvKQidu7RqfnU >
** —————————————————-
**Kiss (NZ) Crushes Rivals in Group Two Breeders Crown Triumph —————————————————-
A brilliant staying performance saw Kiss (NZ) (Always B Miki)dominate the A$100,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Fillies Final (2240m) at Melton on Saturday night.
The NZB Standardbred graduate worked harder than her rivals, racing three-wide and then parked throughout the Victorian feature.
But the classy New Zealand bred shrugged off that extra effort, still managing to unleash a brilliant 26.7sec final 400m to record a big win for trainer Emma Stewart and driver James Herbertson.
Herbertson was caught wide early from barrier 7, electing to keep Kissout of trouble working her up outside the leader.
The reinsman admitted he had little other option, but it let the filly’s outstanding staying prowess shine through.
“She had to do it the hard from the barrier draw,” Herbertson said.
“She probably lacks that little bit of gate speed if she did draw well to be tactical, but she is so strong.”
Kiss was purchased by Montana Park for $20,000 when she was offered by Alabar at the 2021 National Weanling Sale at Auckland.
Breckon Farms is set to offer another outstanding draft at the 2025 National Yearling Sale at Karaka on February 25.
READ > < go.nzb.co.nz/e/934603/vals-in-breeders-crown-triumph/4km28/456493105/h/iDE2YHd9-UwIYgd35qrj9Oln9MU2oYYvKQidu7RqfnU >
** —————————————————-
**Chynchilla (NZ) Speeds to Group Three Success —————————————————-
Chynchilla (NZ) (Sunshine Beach)unleashed sizzling speed to cap her incredible form in the A$52,000 Group Three Forever Gold Mares Open (1660m) at Albion Park this month.
The New Zealand bred has been a revelation since moving to Queensland and she extended her brilliant record in the sunshine state with a powerful front-running win for trainer Donny Smith and driver Nathan Dawson.
Chynchilla was purchased by Victorian horseman Shane Sanderson for the bargain price of $3700 when she was offered at the 2020 All Age Sale on gavelhouse.com
The four-year-old began her career in Victoria putting together a solid record before joining owners Jason Gaffney Mark, Greg and Bailey Hartwig in Queensland.
From the Smith stable, Chynchilla has won nine of her 12 starts in Queensland, culminating in her brilliant all-the-way Group Three win at Albion Park.
READ > < go.nzb.co.nz/e/934603/chilla-nz-speeds-to-g3-success/4km2c/456493105/h/iDE2YHd9-UwIYgd35qrj9Oln9MU2oYYvKQidu7RqfnU >
** —————————————————-
**Better Knuckle Up (NZ) Brilliant in Historical The Velocity Win —————————————————-
Better Knuckle Up (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight)made history on Show Day at Addington with his powerful performance to win the $500,000 Listed Hill Lee & Scott The Velocity (1980m).
The NZB Standardbred graduate became the first winner of a slot race in New Zealand when he stormed home from off the pace to win the lucrative three-year-old feature for trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan.
Better Knuckle Up and driver Zachary Butcher gave fellow NZB Standardbred and favourite Chase The Dream (NZ) (Captaintreacherous)and Blair Orange a good head start after settling in midfield.
Better Knuckle Up is raced by Peter and Joan Stott, following his purchase for $90,000 at the 2022 National Yearling Sale at Karaka.
The pacer was secured by Frank Cooney, as agent, when he was offered among Breckon Farms’ draft.
READ > < go.nzb.co.nz/e/934603/in-historical-the-velocity-win/4km2g/456493105/h/iDE2YHd9-UwIYgd35qrj9Oln9MU2oYYvKQidu7RqfnU >
** —————————————————-
**Dance Till Dawn Soars Home in Mares Classic —————————————————-
Dance Till Dawn (NZ) (Art Major)gained overdue reward when she stormed home to win the $60,000 Listed Bob McArdle Sires Stakes Southern Mares Classic (1980m) at Addington on Show Day.
The brilliantly consistent NZB Standardbred graduate powered down centre track to go one better than her gritty second placing in the annual mares feature for trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn and driver John Dunn.
Dance Till Dawn drifted towards the back of the field on a strong early speed setting her a big task with a lap to go.
But when John Dunn was able to find a tow into the event three wide, the five-year-old was close enough on the turn to strike.
And she did exactly that to overpower the leaders and record the second black-type win of her outstanding career, having previously taken out the $40,000 Uncut Gems Mares Classic (2600m) at the same track.
In winning, Dance Till Dawn took her career earnings just short of $250,000 for owners Alan Neumann, Ian Neumann, Vinnie Neumann, Emma Hintz, Brent Clarke, Jonathan Slack and Su Langdon.
The group secured Dance Till Dawn through the Dunns’ Diamond Racing who purchased the mare for $40,000 from breeder-vendors Taffy Ltd at the 2020 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.
READ > < go.nzb.co.nz/e/934603/wn-soars-home-in-mares-classic/4km2k/456493105/h/iDE2YHd9-UwIYgd35qrj9Oln9MU2oYYvKQidu7RqfnU >
** —————————————————-
[Image alt text: New Zealand Bloodstock] < www.nzbstandardbred.co.nz >
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© New Zealand Bloodstock.
10 Hinau Road, Karaka, 2113, New Zealand.
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