In Foal Mare Chasing More Stakes Success

Media Release - Thursday December 10

Ken and Bev Kelso would love nothing more than for classy mare Supera (NZ) (Savabeel) to sign off her career with a win.

The Sir Peter Vela-bred and raced Savabeel mare contests Saturday’s Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa at what shapes as the second-to-last start of her career.

Suoera is in foal to US Navy Flag.

“She’s in foal and she needs to put her hand up on Saturday to say she’ll go forward to the Zabeel Classic (Gr.1,2000m) which will be her final run,” Ken Kelso said.

“Her work has been good, she’s eating up and I don’t think there will be any excuses if she doesn’t run a top race.”

In foal to star sprinter US Navy Flag (USA), Supera has won eight of her 21 starts, twice at Group Two level but has yet to land that elusive Group One success, on four occasions registering top-four finishes at the elite level.  She was third in the 2018 Cal Isuzu Stakes.

The six-year-old is reunited with premiership-leading jockey Danielle Johnson at Te Rapa, the combination looking to embellish their six starts together for three wins from a favourable barrier draw of five.

“Danielle knows her well and they’ve got a good partnership together,” Kelso said.

“We’re happy with the draw. There was a bit of rain about earlier this week but the track was still a Dead4 this (Thursday) morning and the rain looks as though it’s all gone now.

“We’ll just let her find her feet early. Over a mile, we won’t be pushing forward. Danielle can just let her get into a nice rhythm and then hopefully run home over the top of them.”

TAB bookmakers opened Supera as a $2.70 favourite for the weight-for-age fillies and mares feature ahead of Sinarahma (NZ) (Darci Brahma) at $6.50 and Fiscal Fantasy (Skilled) and Supreme Heights (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) at $8.

Advertisement

Bookmakers have Supera as a $4.50 equal favourite with last Saturday’s Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) quinella of Rock On Wood (NZ) (Redwood) and Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel) in their pre-nominations futures market for the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

The Kelsos will produce three runners at Tauranga on Friday, with in-form Swiss Ace mare Limentis (NZ) joined by maiden gallopers Diamond Delight (NZ) (Tavistock) and Les Crayeres (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice).

“Limentis has just kept improving, We’ve taken the soft option again with her with a view to what’s ahead for her,” Kelso said.

“The rain has helped her and she’s got a good weight and she’s flying in her trackwork. She’ll either head to (the Stella Artois 1500 Championship) Boxing Day at Ellerslie or there’s a Rating 74 1400m race for her there on New Year’s Day.

“Diamond Delight trialled up well at Te Aroha then disappointed in a trial at Taupo which was reasonably firm. We’ve put a line through that trial and are going on what she did in her first trial.

“Her work has been super. She’s a real staying filly and she’s nominated for the Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m). This will be too short for her but it’s a nice kick-off point.

“Les Crayeres ran a really nice race first-up but then disappointed next time but had a bit of a foot issue. She’s working well and we’re expecting an improved run this time.”

Meanwhile, Kelso confirmed Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) favourite Levante (NZ) (Proisir) will trial at Te Aroha on Monday.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing More Stakes Success
Hello Youmzain (Fr) filly Platinum Diamond will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
Breeding to Win - 2025 G1 Memsie Stakes
The big guns step out and spring is on in earnest when the Memsie (1400m WFA) rolls around and what a cracking field we have in 2025 for the first G1 of the Southern spring with 11 runners and 10 are G1 winners!
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 27
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sire Power Highlights Quality MM Horses in Training Catalogue
An incredible selection of the country's best proven and hottest young sires will feature at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale in October.
Promising Winner and a Star on the Rise
One of the bargain priced sires on the Newgate Farm roster, Cosmic Force has never lacked for company covering 100 plus books of mares in each of his five seasons at stud so far totalling nearly 700 mares.
Damask Rose Looking to Kickstart Te Akau Melbourne Spring
Te Akau Racing are building a strong record in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m), and they will look to continue that at Caulfield on Saturday when Damask Rose takes her place in this year’s edition.
Melbourne Cup Dreaming for Kiwi Stayer
Peter and Shaun McKay are dreaming of a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) tilt with their quality stayer Wolfgang, and he will start his journey towards the iconic feature at Wanganui on Saturday.
Up and Coming Well Named - So Who Are These Guys?
The $250,000 Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday is a race well named with a field of eight colts and geldings set to line up and while none are stakes-winners yet, one of them will be after the weekend.
Spring Trial Watch – Everest Contenders on Show
The Rosehill trials on Thursday morning featured a couple of key Everest contenders with Private Harry winning easily over speedy 3YO North England, while Lady Shenandoah was under a tight grip to finish third in a later heat.
Via Sistina Honoured at NSW Horse of the Year
One of the greatest seasons of all time has secured Via Sistina the TAB NSW Champion Horse of the Year award. The Chris Waller-trained mare was recognised at Racing’s Night of Champions for her outstanding performance in 2024/2025 which included equalling Winx’s record of seven Group 1s in a single season.