Vadamos Filly Wins G2 Avondale Guineas

Media Release - Saturday February 19

If there were any doubts about exciting three-year-old filly La Crique’s claims as a contender for top honours in next month’s Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m), they were well and truly quelled as she decimated her rivals when winning the Gr.2 AJC Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Craig Grylls has La Crique out on her own as she takes out the Gr.2 AJC Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie Photo Credit: Trish Dunell

The Simon and Katrina Alexander-trained daughter of Rich Hill Stud stallion Vadamos was coming into the race off the back of a stunning four-length victory in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham and was sent out a dominating $2.50 favourite.

In a field that contained most of the major Derby contenders, rider Craig Grylls settled La Crique in the trail behind a muddling pace set up by Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) winner Field Of Gold.

Field Of Gold skipped two lengths clear rounding the home bend, but Grylls had him in his sights as he asked his mount for a serious effort.

The response was remarkable as she quickly hit top gear and bounded clear to win easing down by just under four lengths from minor placegetters Arjay’s Flight, Marchand and White Noise, who all finished on well, but were no match for the filly.

“It was a lovely tactical ride by Craig and good to see she can take ownership of a race when she wants to,” Katrina Alexander said.

“She is such an economical mover, a brilliant breather and I didn’t have any worries with the distance.

“She has just got that special turn of foot at both ends of her races as well.

“I didn’t expect Craig to go out quite so strong at the start of the race, but he has pulled the right rein and he knows that she will come back underneath him when he needs her to.”

Alexander will now keep her charge on an even keel as she counts down to a Derby start on March 5.

“Luckily she is an easy keeper and doesn’t cause us any grief, touch wood,” she said.

“It’s not far to the Derby, but things can still go wrong. If they ran it next week, I would probably be happier.”

Advertisement

Grylls had a smile from ear to ear as he spoke in glowing terms about his mount who will attempt to provide him with his second successive win in the Derby, and third in four years, after taking out the race in 2019 aboard the Stephen Marsh-trained Crown Prosecutor and again last year aboard the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Rocket Spade.

“She is a machine,” Grylls said.

“She got into the trail and just switched off beautifully, which is what we wanted to see.

“Field Of Gold put a nice little kick on us turning in, but she just jogged up and I just couldn’t believe how well we were going.

“She was strong through the line and like she did at Trentham, she got down low and flattened out nicely.

“The plan was to be handyish, but she got out of the gates really well and we had that head start advantage to get across and take a trail.

“She settled beautifully and it was the perfect trial for the Derby.”

TAB Bookmakers responded quickly as they tightened La Crique into a $2.60 favourite for the Derby, ahead of Pinarello ($6) who impressively took out a rating 65 2100m contest later on the card.

Raced by her breeders, John and Jan Cassin, La Crique is out of the five-race winning Dubai Destination mare, Destiny Cove who was also raced by the Cassins and has produced the Vadamos filly along with her promising elder half-brother Bari (NZ) (Proisir).

The victory adds further interest to the progeny of European Group One winner Vadamos at the upcoming New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, with four individuals set to go through the auction ring at Karaka during the Book 1 sale that runs from March 7-9, while a further five yearlings will be available during the Book 2 sale from March 10-12. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Ajc Avondale Guineas Gr2 2100m

Ellerslie Track: Dead(5) Time: 2:12.72
1
La Crique
- 3f Vadamos (FR) x Destiny Cove (AUS) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: S & K Alexander Rdr: C J Grylls 54.5
2
3.8
Arjay's Flight
- 3g Highly Recommended (AUS) x Clareville Flight (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: M H Brosnan Rdr: T D Thornton 56.5
3
4.0
Marchand
- 3g Burgundy (NZ) x Lashed (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: L G Innes 56.5
4
4.2
White Noise
- 3g El Roca (AUS) x White Nymph (NZ) (Sir Percy (GB))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: R T Elliot 56.5
5
5.7
Field Of Gold
- 3g Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Chasing Mammon (AUS) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: M J Mc Nab 56.5
6
7.2
The Perfect Pink
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x The Solitaire (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: O P Bosson 54.5
7
7.8
Regal Lion
- 3g Jakkalberry (IRE) x Red Delight (NZ) (Congrats (USA))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: M Cameron 56.5
8
8.4
Tutukaka
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Meleka Belle (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: J K Riddell 57
9
9.2
Nest Egg
- 3g Reliable Man (GB) x Run To The Bank (NZ) (Bahhare (USA))
Tnr: R J Bergerson Rdr: R H Schofer 56.5
10
13.7
Yes We Khan
- 3g Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Nothing But A Grin (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: B Wallace & G Cooksley Rdr: M Hashizume 56.5
11
24.1
Shockatillatap
- 3g Shocking (AUS) x Out Of The Barn (NZ) (Sakhee's Secret (GB))
Tnr: D B Smith Rdr: S M Mc Kay 56.5
12
30.4
Opaea Joe
- 3g Puccini (NZ) x Whiff (NZ) (Don Eduardo (NZ))
Tnr: G K Opie Rdr: K Asano 56.5
13
32.2
Te Toki
- 3g Tarzino (NZ) x Espresso Cavallo (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: S & K Alexander Rdr: V A Colgan 56.5
More Reading...
Zoustar's Breeders Cup Winner Starlust Arrives at Riverstone
Zoustar’s Breeders Cup winner Starlust has arrived at his new home, Riverstone Lodge in the Hunter Valley with the stud posting video of his arrival.
Zoustar Entering the Zenith
The dictionary tells us Zenith is an astronomical term —describing the highest point in an arc travelled by a star, planet or another celestial body- and in the case of this story it’s planet Zoustar!
Breednet Distance Sire Tables Highlight Some Home Truths
The end of season is a great time to look back and assess what has happened in terms of sire results and what may happen in the future and more importantly what all of that might mean for Australian racing.
2025 Cox Plate Entries – Who are the 3YO Cox Plate Dreamers?
108 entries have been received for the 2025 Group I MVRC Cox Plate (2040m) to be run on October 25 with a galaxy of stars that include 11 overseas contenders and a group of new season 3YO’s.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 7
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Melbourne Cup on Radar for Sons and Lovers
Joseph O’Brien knows what it takes to win a Melbourne Cup and that was mentioned as a possible goal for progressive young stayer Sons and Lovers, who won the Group III Ballyroan Stakes (1m4f) at Leopardstown overnight.
Racing’s Night of Champions August 28
45 of the top horses in Australia will be recognised for outstanding performances during the 2024/2025 racing season at Racing’s Night of Champions.
Extremely Good Week!
It’s been a memorable week for Star Thoroughbreds having sold their multiple Group winning mare Olentia for $2.6million and then the purple and white stars were back in the winner’s circle at Canterbury on Wednesday carried by 3YO Extreme Choice colt Estremo.
Wootton Bassett Set to Blast Out of Winter
Many people may have anticipated Wootton Bassett (GB) would have been our Champion Australian First Season Sire last season and while that didn’t quite eventuate, he did finish the season with a wealth of horses holding spring potential and several were in action at the trials this morning.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 6
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.