Darci La Bella Wins G2 Breeders Stakes

Media Release - Saturday November 19

What a difference 30 minutes made for jockey Jonathan Riddell on Saturday.

Darci La Bella poses after completing her 10th career victory at Pukekohe  Photo: Trish Dunell

Fresh from being dumped at the start aboard the well-favoured Babylon Berlin in the previous race, the Cambridge hoop came out and produced a picture-perfect ride aboard class mare Darci La Bella to take out the Gr.2 Dunstan Feeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).

The Allan Sharrock-trained daughter of Darci Brahma had seen conditions fall in her favour as 48 hours of persistent rain saw the track come up a Heavy8 on raceday, a track rating where she had already won four of her eight starts on.

Punters agreed as they installed her as the $2.20 elect and she never tested their faith at any stage of the contest.

Riddell had her settled beautifully in midfield throughout before making his move through the pack at the 600m.

Darci La Bella loomed into contention shortly afterwards before racing clear to win by three lengths from Express Princess and the fast-finishing Malt Time.

Sharrock was quick to mention the contribution of Riddell to the victory, praising him for being able to throw off what had happened in his previous ride.

“I was actually pleased the track had come back a little bit as I didn’t want it too arduous,” he said.

“That was pretty dominant in the end though.

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“With the rating she has (99) she would have been carrying 62kgs in a handicap so the weight-for-age scale (where she carried 57kgs) worked well for her.

“It was also a great ride by a very grumpy jockey, he was very grumpy before the race after what had just happened.

“He is a good rider though, very professional and he got the job done.”

Sharrock was looking at another stakes feature closer to home for the mare’s next target.

“I think we might have to go to the Manawatu Challenge Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m) next,” he said.

“She’s actually handling 1400m really well so we have to have a go.”

Raced by Sharrock and long -time stable clients Ann and Hec McCallum along with Ron and Noel Stanley, Darci La Bella is the half-sister to Sharrock’s much loved stakes performer Tavi Mac.

The victory made it ten wins from just 15 starts for Darci La Bella, who has now earned just under $300,000 in prizemoney. – NZ Racing Desk

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Race Result - Auckland T'bred Breeders Stks Gr2 1400m

Pukekohe Park Track: Heavy(10) Time: 1:24.55
1
Darci La Bella
- 5m Darci Brahma (NZ) x Bellaroof (NZ) (Maroof (USA))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: J K Riddell 57
2
2.8
Express Princess
- 6m Shamexpress (NZ) x Stalactite (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: Joe Doyle 57
3
3.2
Malt Time
- 6m Adelaide (IRE) x Pimms Time (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: S & E Clotworthy Rdr: M Hashizume 57
4
3.3
Oseleta
- 5m Deep Field (AUS) x Riesling (NZ) (Last Tycoon (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: V A Colgan 57
5
3.4
Silverina
- 4m Contributer (IRE) x Sloane Street (NZ) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: S L Crawford Rdr: K Asano 57
6
3.6
Jodelin Gal
- 6m Swiss Ace (AUS) x Signorina (NZ) (Conatus (AUS))
Tnr: C J Henderson Rdr: L H Satherley 57
7
8.0
Slave To Love
- 5m Savabeel (AUS) x Moochi Me (AUS) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: P & D Williams Rdr: Warren Kennedy 57
8
11.2
The Perfect Pink
- 4m Savabeel (AUS) x The Solitaire (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: C Zackey 57
9
11.5
Miss Cartier
- 5m El Roca (AUS) x Sacred Vow (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: C J Grylls 57
10
14.4
La Bella Beals
- 4m Star Turn (AUS) x Miss Beals (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: W F Pinn 57
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