New G3 Winner for Savabeel

Media Release - Saturday December 12

Lightly raced Cambridge visitor Whimsical showed she will be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming age-group staying features when she produced a gritty performance to take out the G3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at just her third start.

 Johnathan Parkes guides Whimsical to victory in the G3 Eulogy Stakes. Photo: Race Images – Peter Rubery

The Stephen Marsh-trained Savabeel filly had hinted she had plenty of ability when she easily accounted for her maiden rivals over 1400m at Te Rapa last month.

Marsh had no hesitation in stepping the filly up to stakes company and was rewarded with a strong victory, courtesy of a heady ride by Johnathan Parkes.

The Central Districts rider positioned the long-striding filly outside pacemaker Love For All after she made a fast beginning from a wide barrier.

Under vigorous riding Whimsical found the lead with 150m to run and drew away to win by three quarters of a length from Love For All with Signora Nera running on strongly for third.

“She’s a filly with a lot of potential who has just got better and better,” Marsh stable representative Todd Pollard said.

“She showed plenty when she had her first trial at Ellerslie back in July and has just kept going up a level at each outing.

“She is probably the biggest three-year-old filly we have in the stable and just looks like a stayer in the making so we did think the 1600m today would be right up her alley.

Advertisement

“She has New Zealand Oaks candidate written all over her so I would think she will be on a path to that now, especially as her win today was in a leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year series.

“Stephen hasn’t made any decisions about her next target but it could possibly be one of the series races during the Ellerslie Christmas Carnival.”

Pollard was referring to the Gr.2 Jamieson Park Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day and the Gr.2 Valachi Downs Royal Stakes (2000m) on New Year’s Day.

The two races are the fifth and sixth legs of the NZB Filly of the Year series which is currently led by Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Kahma Lass on 15 points. Whimsical earned six points for her victory which sees her tied in third position in the series behind Kahma Lass and Miss Tycoon Rose (7 points).

Whimsical races in the familiar colours of well-known Wellington businessman Lib Petagna, who shares in her ownership with Dame Lowell Goddard. 

Purchased for $240,000 by bloodstock agent Bruce Perry from the Little Avondale Stud draft during the 2019 Book 1 Yearling Sale at Karaka, Whimsical is out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Chanel’s Choice and hails from a family that includes Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) winner Steps In Time and multiple Group One winners Vision And Power and Glamour Puss. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes Gr3 1600m

Awapuni Track: Slow(7) Time: 1:38.64
1
Whimsical
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Chanel's Choice (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: J Parkes 56.5
2
0.8
Love For All
- 3f Love Conquers All (AUS) x Shadows (AUS) (Dane Shadow (AUS))
Tnr: B E Newman Rdr: D G Bradley 56.5
3
2.3
Signora Nera
- 3f Sweynesse (AUS) x Madonna Mia (NZ) (Red Clubs (IRE))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: R H Schofer 56.5
4
2.8
Key
- 3f Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Vanilla Princess (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: J Benner & H Wynyard Rdr: L J Allpress 56.5
5
5.3
Charms Star
- 3f Per Incanto (USA) x Anniesstar (NZ) (Zed (NZ))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: R J Bishop 56.5
6
5.4
Llanacord
- 3f Contributer (IRE) x L'accord (NZ) (Golan (IRE))
Tnr: S Nickalls Rdr: L T Hemi 56.5
7
8.7
Samina Bibi
- 3f Reliable Man (GB) x Zuzela (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: S Ritchie & C Murray Rdr: W F Pinn 56.5
8
9.7
White Lightning
- 3f Reliable Man (GB) x No Excuse Maggie (NZ) (No Excuse Needed (GB))
Tnr: F J Auret Rdr: T D Thornton 56.5
9
9.8
Shezzacatch
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Elusive Nature (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: G Lowry & G Cullen Rdr: C J Grylls 56.5
10
11.3
Gaelic Spirit
- 3f Dalghar (FR) x Celtic Charm (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: S L Wynne 56.5
11
13.1
Chikira Lass
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Elusive Chik (NZ) (Elusive City (USA))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: A C Goindasamy 56.5
12
27.4
La Querida
- 3f El Hermano (NZ) x Delectica (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: Ms J Guilford Rdr: T L Taiaroa 56.5
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 25
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Coles Bows Out After 60 Years
Pukekohe’s Wednesday meeting marked the end of an era for Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, as Ross Coles, a treasured figure in the industry, retired after 60 years as Clerk of the Course.
Do Early Winners Equate to Long Term Stud Success?
As we move towards the end of the racing season, attention invariably focuses on first season sires and who will be the leader of the cohort by winners and it’s a close run race this year, but does any of it matter in the grand scheme of things?
Promising 2YOs for Pike
Tony Pike found it difficult to split his juvenile charges the last time they took each other on and it’s the same story at Ruakaka.
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Trial action was at Randwick on Friday and there were six heats for juveniles that included some interesting unraced youngsters highlighted by the full brother to a promising young sire, a well bred son of Farnan and an Extreme Choice filly.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 26
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale online now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
Cambridge Stud to Sell Entire Draft at Karaka 2026
Leading thoroughbred nursery Cambridge Stud have committed their full support for NZB’s 2026 National Yearling Sales Series, with the announcement they will be selling 100% of their yearling stock at Karaka. 
First Winner for Australian Derby Winner Levendi
Blueblood Pierro colt Levendi won the Group I ATC Australian Derby for the Gelagotis stable back in 2018 and is now on the board as a sire having produced his first winner on Friday.