Amarelinha Crowned NZB Filly of the Year

Saturday’s $400,000 Group One Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham showcased the class and superiority of standout filly Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel), who went undefeated through four appearances in the 2020-21 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series to easily claim the title.

Bought for $300,000 from Waikato Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2019 by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis, Amarelinha finishes the NZB Filly of the Year Series with 34 points – 19 clear of her nearest rival. Overall, she has won five of her seven starts, placing in the other two and earning $518,700 for the Te Akau Hopskip’n’jump Syndicate.

The winner of the Group Two Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Group Two David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) and Group Three Sunline Vase (2100m) earlier in the NZB Filly of the Year Series, Amarelinha was expected to carry that dominance up to Group One level in Saturday’s series finale. She more than delivered.

Supporters’ hearts were in their mouths in the early stages of the race as Amarelinha jumped in the air when the gates opened and nearly dislodged jockey Opie Bosson, then was trapped three wide after 500 metres.

But then Bosson was able to take up a comfortable position in midfield, one off the rail, and it was smooth sailing from there.

Amarelinha produced her trademark explosive acceleration at the top of the straight, opening up a two-length lead in the blink of an eye with a brilliant burst of speed.

Charms Star (NZ) (Per Incanto) showed a terrific turn of foot of her own and briefly posed a threat inside the last 200 metres, but Amarelinha lifted again to complete a comfortable one-length victory.

“We jumped straight in the air at the start and I thought ‘oh no’,” Bosson said. “The plan was to ride her handy, and we were five spots further back than I wanted to be. But she relaxed beautifully.

“I’ve got to learn to control her turn of foot – she gets to the front too quickly. But she heard the other filly coming in the straight and gave me a little bit more, which is the mark of a good horse.

“She’s very exciting. I can’t wait to see her get over to Australia.”

Amarelinha is the sixth NZB Filly of the Year in the last 15 years for the powerful Te Akau Racing stable, following on from Costa Viva (Encosta de Lago), King’s Rose (Redoute’s Choice), Insouciant (NZ) (Keeper), Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago) and Shikoba (NZ) (Chief Bearhart).

Amarelinha is the first of those to be trained by runaway premiership leader Jamie Richards.

“She was brilliant today and is a very good filly,” said Richards, who also trains the NZB Filly of the Year Series runner-up Kahma Lass (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who did not run in Saturday’s Oaks.

“She fell out of the barrier a little bit, then had to get going and go around them before dropping back in. But Opie rode a brilliant race, found the back of the right horse coming up to the turn, and she won very well.

“David bought her at Karaka from Waikato Stud, and we’ve had so much success with their horses and the progeny of Savabeel. We train this filly for a great group of owners, and I’m really thrilled for everyone involved.

“We’ll have a look at Australia, but she needs good ground, so we’ll take her home and have a look at her before we make any further plans.”

Oaks runner-up Charms Star earned 7 points on Saturday, lifting her to a total of 11. She had previously earned 4 points with a second placing in the Group Two Lowland Stakes (2100m). Charms Star was a $65,000 purchase from Book 2 of Karaka 2019, and she has earned $97,600 in stakes.

Llanacord (NZ) (Contributer), who won the Lowland Stakes in her previous start, finished third in Saturday’s Oaks. She picked up another 3.5 NZB Filly of the Year Series points, lifting her to a total of 11.5.

Llanacord cost only $15,000 in Book 2 of Karaka 2019, and she has earned $97,625.