NZ Oaks Contender to Run for Australian Bloodstock

Media Release - Wednesday March 16

Promising filly Le Villi will carry new colours when she lines-up in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday.

Le Villi will line-up in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Australian Bloodstock purchased the daughter of Puccini following her fifth placed run in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie last start and they could receive an immediate return if she performs well this weekend.

Trainer John Wheeler was pleased with her run at Ellerslie last start and he believes the 2400m won’t be an issue for her.

“I was very happy with her,” he said. “She took a couple of days to get over it but once she did, she has carried on like she did before. She is well ahead of Saturday.

“I have got no doubt about her getting the distance, which is a big plus, because a lot of them will struggle to get the distance.

“She is pretty fit, so I am pretty happy with her.”

While Wheeler is only promised the one further run with the filly, she could remain in his care for a tilt at the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick if she were to perform well this weekend.

“At this stage she is in my care until after the Oaks, but they did say they would leave her to me to take her to the AJC Oaks if she went well enough. But they own the horse, so they are the ones that make the decisions,” Wheeler said.

Advertisement

Wheeler will also line-up last year’s Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) runner-up Beaudz Well in the Listed Barneswood Farm New Zealand St Leger (2600m).

“He was very disappointing last start, but I thought his runs before that were good, I was very happy with him,” Wheeler said.

“I don’t know whether the track at Ellerslie was a little too firm for him last start, he prefers some cut in the ground.

“He has worked well since and there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with him. He is going to be a good chance in the St Leger.”

Wheeler’s Trentham team will be rounded out by Pinsk in the New World Churton Park Premier (2200m).

“It’s her first run over ground, so we will see what happens,” Wheeler said. “She is destined to be a staying mare.

“She is going pretty well and her work has been good, and her recent racing has been good, so I expect her to go a really nice race.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Good News Week for Geisel Park
Geisel Park’s black-type mare Laced Up Heels is in foal off a maiden cover to Champion Australian Sire Zoustar and an orphan foal has found a new mum.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
NZB Breeze Up Footage Now Available to View Online
The highly anticipated Breeze Up videos for NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale are now available to view online at nzb.co.nz.
A Century of NZB National Yearling Sales Success: Cox Plate
Moonee Valley’s A$6m Group One WS Cox Plate (2040m) is known as the weight-for-age championship of Australasia and has been won by many of Australia and New Zealand’s greatest thoroughbreds.
Second Wootton Bassett Son Added to Coolmore Stallion Roster for 2026
Set to join Camille Pissarro as the second G1 winning son of Wootton Bassett on the stallion roster for Ireland in 2026 is Henri Matisse, who this time last year was about to claim his first G1 victory at the Breeders Cup meeting at Del Mar.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Coolmore Favs get the Flemington Straight Experience in Jump Outs
Beiwacht, Beadman and Skyhook, three of the top four in the market for next month’s Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes had a jump out down the Flemington straight on Friday with Beadman quite the eye-catcher.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
Premier Racing Stables for Sale in New Zealand
A unique opportunity to get a foothold in the heart of thoroughbred country in New Zealand has arisen offering both functionality and prestige within an ideal base to pursue racing success in the leading equine region in the country.