Ghibellines Mare Wins Listed Great Easter

Media Release - Saturday May 7

Local trainer Lance Robinson admitted he wasn’t quite sure where to look halfway down the straight in Saturday’s Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton.

Live Drama stretches away from stablemate Khimar War to win the Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton Photo Credit: Race Images South

Robinson had saddled up stable duo Live Drama and Khimar War in the day’s second black-type feature and with 600m to run both of his chances were looking like they would be right in the fight at the business end of the contest.

That judgement proved spot on as Live Drama scooted up the inner on the point of the home turn for rider Kavish Chowdhoory and took control from then on to score handsomely by just on two lengths from her stablemate who had trouble finding clear air at a crucial stage before storming into second for Tina Comignaghi.

Robinson had found it hard to split the pair before the race but had leant towards Live Drama without total conviction.

“I really thought both horses were very big chances although I did lean a little towards Live Drama as I think she may just have a touch more class than Khimar War,” he said.”

“In the end she really showed her class after a top ride by Kavish.

“He took the initiative to track up along the fence when they were all going wide and when she got to the front, she ran away.

“I was trying to watch them both but ended up on Khimar War to see if he could get second as I knew she had it won with 200m to run.

Advertisement

“It is just a fantastic result for us and very satisfying.”

Robinson will now send Live Drama to the spelling paddock, however he would like to keep Khimar War ticking along with an eye to races coming up on the new Riccarton synthetic track.

“She (Live Drama) has been up since November, so she deserves a break now,” he said.

“She has done a great job for us and while she is out I can sit down with her owners and put a plan together for next season.

“Khimar War is a gross type who I’d like to set for a couple of $30,000 races coming up on the synthetic track.

“He is a gross type who can get away from you when he is spelling, so he will get a break at some stage, but not for too long as we want to keep the weight off him as much as possible.”

By Ghibellines, who was also represented by race one winner Golden Harvest, Live Drama has now won seven of her 22 starts and over $172,000 in prizemoney for her ownership group that includes Robinson and his wife Christine. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - D Bannan Mem. Great Easter Hcp LR 1400m

Riccarton Park Track: Good(3) Time: 1:22.54
1
Live Drama
- 5m Ghibellines (AUS) x Sheeza Drama (AUS) (Pure Theatre (AUS))
Tnr: L M Robinson Rdr: K Chowdhoory 59.5
2
1.8
Khimar War
- 6g Sweet Orange (USA) x Flame Of Atlanta (NZ) (Clay Hero (AUS))
Tnr: L M Robinson Rdr: A Comignaghi 60
3
2.0
Scarfi
- 7m Makfi (GB) x Splitfire (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: Ms T Rae Rdr: T R Moseley 55
4
2.2
Street Fightin Man
- 4g Pure Champion (IRE) x Ruby Tuesday (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: Steven Woodsford Rdr: C W Johnson 53
5
2.4
Monza Circuito
- 7m Showcasing (GB) x Monzahra (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: C A Campbell 56
6
3.4
Harbourside
- 6g Harbour Watch (IRE) x Scattered Dreams (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Ms T Rae Rdr: Ms K Williams 53.5
7
5.8
Severine
- 6m Pins (AUS) x Paris Carver (NZ) (Fast 'n' Famous (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Carston Rdr: T L Newman 53
8
6.5
Ocean Point
- 4m Ocean Park (NZ) x Danger Point (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: R C Dennis Rdr: K Mudhoo 56.5
9
10.3
Beau Stitch
- 5g Per Incanto (USA) x Lago Rider (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: P D Harris Rdr: Brandon May 53.5
More Reading...
Big Pedigrees Don’t Always Spell Black Type
The breeding of thoroughbreds is a very inexact science which is why we saw siblings to a pair of Group I winners fighting out the finish of a very pedestrian 1100m maiden at Ballarat on Sunday.
Better Than Ready’s Metalart Wins Group 3 W J Healy Stakes
Improving off a third in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm recently, 4yo Better Than Ready gelding Metalart stepped up to 1200m to record his first black type success, winning the Group 3 W J Healy Stakes.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 29
Here is the full list of 53 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
Unbeaten So You Think 3YO WA's New Excitement Machine
One month to the day since he first set foot on a racecourse, So You Think’s three year old son  Opportunistic remains undefeated from three starts, is a dual stakes winner with earnings of $200,250 to his name, and is WA's new rising star of the turf.
Aussie 2YO SW for Tivaci
New Zealand-bred colt Matahga stamped himself as an exciting spring three-year-old prospect with a hard-fought victory in the A$120,000 Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Red Right Out Wins MM Queensland Qualifier
The 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping will feature the third annual Queensland Off-The-Track Cup (QOTT) final on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast. 
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.