Alamosa Mare Wins Gold Cup

Media Release - Saturday October 30

Quality mare House Of Cartier proved a class above her rivals when she took out the Listed Ricoh Feilding Gold Cup (2100m) at Awapuni.

The Peter Didham-trained mare was having her first start since finishing fifth at Group One level in the Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings and was installed a warm $2.50 favourite for Saturday’s contest.

Sarah Macnab drives House Of Cartier to victory in the Listed Ricoh Feilding Gold Cup (2100m) Photo Credit: Race Images – Grant Matthew

On a day that was favouring those handy to the pace, rider Sarah Macnab had House Of Cartier off the fence from an inside draw quickly after the start and she made a decisive move when looming into contention on the home bend.

House Of Cartier wound up powerfully in the home straight and drove clear from pacemaker Marietta Lane to win comfortably by three and a half lengths, with Sir Nate battling on well to claim third.

Didham went into the race with confidence as the mare had worked brilliantly during the week in preparation for the race.

“I’m just stoked with that as she won very well and it was a super ride by Sarah,” he said.

“She got her off the fence and in the clear and the mare likes to get rolling in her races.

“Sarah really had her trucking on the corner and once she balanced up, she just raced clear and did it on her ear.

“I thought she would be hard to beat as her work during the week was fantastic and she kept licking her feed bowl clean every night.

“She has had quite a light prep this time in with just the two trials and two races and I think that has really suited her.”

Advertisement

Didham will now sit down with owners Bill Gleeson and Peter Gillespie to discuss immediate plans for the mare, however a visit to Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel has been taken off the table for this year.

“We had planned to put her in foal this season, however she has been going so well, that option has been put on the back burner,” Didham said.

“I think she may have one more run and then she can have a break from those hard summer tracks and come back in the autumn.

“She can go on top of the ground, but prefers the cut in the track and there are some nice races for her in the autumn.”

The victory brought up a double for Didham after impressive debutant Morus caught the eye when storming home from well back to take out a maiden 1300m contest.

The royally bred three-year-old is a son of Savabeel and outstanding southern racemare Include, who won ten of her 16 starts with three of those at stakes level.

“He is a pretty exciting horse that has just taken a little time to learn what it is all about,” Didham said.

“I’ve given him five trials, which is unusual for me, but the last trial was very good and he came out today and won very impressively.

“The phone hasn’t stopped ringing, so he could be sold pretty quickly, but if we end up keeping him, then there is a lot to look forward to.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Ricoh Feilding Gold Cup LR 2100m

Awapuni Track: Slow(7) Time: 2:11.59
1
House Of Cartier
- 6m Alamosa (NZ) x Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar (USA))
Tnr: Peter Didham Rdr: S J Macnab 57.5
2
3.5
Marietta Lane
- 7m Zed (NZ) x Crichele (NZ) (Lord Ballina (AUS))
Tnr: F J Auret Rdr: W F Pinn 54.5
3
5.8
Sir Nate
- 6g Nadeem (AUS) x Just Diamonds (NZ) (No Excuse Needed (GB))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: K Asano 55.5
4
6.6
Bonny Ezra
- 6g Road To Rock (AUS) x Ascolini (NZ) (Bertolini (USA))
Tnr: C D Cromarty Rdr: L J Allpress 53
5
6.9
Prince Leo
- 5g Jimmy Choux (NZ) x Hoorang (NZ) (Zerpour (IRE))
Tnr: I A Shaw Rdr: L Kauri 53
6
7.2
Skyphyta
- 7g Pierro (AUS) x Stellaphyta (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: P M Goodwin Rdr: K R Hercock 53
7
8.0
Hunta Pence
- 9g No Excuse Needed (GB) x Vanitas (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: F P Campbell Rdr: S R Weatherley 57.5
8
8.4
Dubai's Moko
- 5m Keeper (AUS) x Dubai Belle (NZ) (E Dubai (USA))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: M K Hudson 53
9
8.6
Aricina
- 5m Redwood (GB) x Torlundy (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: Callum Jones 53
10
10.9
Penelope Cruise
- 6m Ocean Park (NZ) x Floridita (AUS) (Fasliyev (USA))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: D A Hirini 53
11
13.9
Deerfield
- 8g Falkirk (NZ) x The Dazzler (NZ) (Centaine (AUS))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: R H Schofer 60
More Reading...
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday August 26
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Tara Talks Racing – Stallion Parades, Old Legends and a Weekend Tip
We’re back in podcast land as the spring unfolds with plenty to talk about following our recent run of visits to the stallion parades, so what stallions did we like?
Trial Winner for Captivant
Captivant’s early promise was on full display at today’s Waipa trials when Capital Express stormed to victory in Heat 4. The Paul Pertab-trained 2YO colt impressed early, showcasing the speed and class expected of his G1 Champagne Stakes-winning sire in a performance that marked him as one to watch.
Al Riffa Aiming Towards Melbourne Cup for Australian Bloodstock
The exceptional qualities of Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) are such that he can get fast juveniles and also high class older horses over a distance and we are set to see a taste of it this spring as media reports suggest Australian Bloodstock have purchased his top class 5YO stallion Al Riffa.
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.
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.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 28
Here is the full list of 33 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
G1 Plan for Kiwi Sprinter Niance
Six-year-old mare Niance will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week.