New Stakes-Winner for Press Statement

Media Release - Thursday November 24

Butler was all the rage ahead of the Listed Levin Stakes (1400m) at Otaki on Thursday, but it was local hope Hold The Press who upset the apple cart.

Hold The Press winning the Listed Levin Stakes (1400m) at Otaki on Thursday. Photo: Race Images

Trainers Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard thought the Press Statement mare was a good place chance heading into the race but were pleasantly surprised to see her quickly put a couple of lengths on her rivals in the straight and eventually ran out a 2-1/2 length victor over Sanibel.

“It was a very good win. It was a huge thrill for the owners, and I am just rapt for them, she will be quite a valuable broodmare for them now,” Benner said.

“She won dominantly, which was a pleasant surprise. I thought we were a good place chance, she was fit and going well, but I didn’t think we would be able to beat Butler.”

Benner is now eyeing the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Pukekohe in January with Hold The Press.

“There is a nice fillies and mares race over 1400m on Karaka Million night, which might be a nice race for her, but we won’t get too far ahead of ourselves,” he said.

Hold the Press was bred by Gerry Harvey and was a $35,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Baramul Stud draft at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. She is the best of three winners from well bred Encosta de Lago mare Asset Rain, a half-sister to stakes-winners Make Me a Miracle and La Lagune, the grand-dam of G1 New Zeland Thousand Guineas winner Hasahalo and Group winners Hasabro, Savvy Nature, Addictive Nature, All Saints' Eve and All Hallows' Eve.

She becomes the fourth stakes-winner for Vinery Stud's Press Statement.

Press Statement

Stablemates that could join her on the float trip north are Strides and Dapper, with the former breaking through for his maiden win in the Ribbon Plus (1200m) a race prior, while the latter was runner-up in the Foxton Fish & Chippie (1100m) on the same card.

Both horses were purchased as yearlings from Karaka by owner Gary Harding and will be set for their respective Karaka Million targets at Pukekohe in January.

Advertisement

The Otaki trainers have fond memories of the series, having won the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) with Vespa in 2014 and Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) in 2018 with Scott Base.

“It is a good day and they are hard races to win, but you are not going to win unless you are in,” Benner said.

Benner was over the moon with Strides’ 1-1/4 length victory and is looking forward to heading to the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) with the $120,000 yearling sale purchase from Landsdowne Park’s 2021 NZB Book 1 Yearling Sale draft.

“He was outstanding, it was a big win,” Benner said.

“He is a horse we have got a lot of faith in. He is still a little bit weak, but I think he will run a mile. He is in the Karka 3YO Classic, so that might be a good target for us.

“There are going to be some very good horses going there but we will see what happens.”

Dapper, a $150,000 yearling purchase out of Milan Park’s 2022 NZB Book 1 Yearling Sale draft, is destined for the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) after his pleasing effort on Thursday.

“We are happy with him, we were only using this as a trial,” Benner said. “He will go to Boxing Day at Pukekohe and then into the Karaka Million.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Courtesy Ford Levin Stakes LR 1200m

Otaki Track: Slow(8) Time: 1:12.30
1
Hold The Press
- 5m Press Statement (AUS) x Asset Rain (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: J Benner & H Wynyard Rdr: L J Allpress 53
2
2.5
Sanibel
- 6m Shamexpress (NZ) x Margaux Belle (NZ) (Kaapstad (NZ))
Tnr: S L Brown Rdr: K R Hercock 53
3
2.7
Old Town Road
- 5g El Roca (AUS) x Malaya (NZ) (Towkay (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: W F Pinn 55.5
4
3.1
Conor O'Ceirin
- 6g Dial A Prayer (NZ) x Plaything (NZ) (Victory Dance (IRE))
Tnr: R J Patterson Rdr: C J Grylls 53
5
5.1
Sergio
- 5g Swiss Ace (AUS) x Shanro (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: C Dell 55.5
6
7.4
Butler
- 5g Showcasing (GB) x Maid Of Tralee (AUS) (Niello (AUS))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: J K Riddell 60
7
12.2
Fibonacci
- 9g Per Incanto (USA) x Da Vinci Code (NZ) (Danasinga (AUS))
Tnr: S R Mercer Rdr: M Hashizume 53
8
15.0
Eagle County
- 7m Swiss Ace (AUS) x Beaver Cove (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: D B Jensen Rdr: J Mudhoo 53
More Reading...
French G3 Winner for Zoustar
The Group III Prix des Chenes (1600m) at Chantilly in France overnight produced a new stakes-winner for reigning champion Australian sire Zoustar with talented two year-old Oceans Four claiming his first Black Type win.
G1 Golden Rose Field and Barrier Draw
Godolphin filly Tempted will take on eight colts in a nine horse Group One Golden Rose at Rosehill on Saturday where she retains favouritism after drawing barrier eight.
Written Tycoon Filly Bursts into NZ 1000 Guineas Contention
The Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m) was expected to be the weekend’s key pointer for the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), but a spectacular performance on the Ellerslie undercard had its own impact on fixed-odds betting for the Christchurch classic.
Career Best Victory for Wentwood Grange Favourite Yearling
Dean Hawkins admits to shedding a tear or two when With Your Blessing was sold as a yearling.
Tara Talks Racing - Trials and Racing
This week we’re talking trials after an insightful set of official 2YO trials in Sydney, plus some racing and how Fangirl will eventually go to stud with two Group I wins less on her resume than there should be.
Sires With Winners - Sunday September 21
Here is the full list of 66 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Warrnambool
So You Think is the first sire to hit 40 winners for the season and he did it with a three year-old filly that won easily on debut at Warrnambool on Monday in the Kia Ora Stud colours.
Home Affairs 2YOs Shine at Official Sydney Trials
I Am Invincible’s exciting young sire son Home Affairs was the talk of the town after the yearling sales this year when his progeny topped both Magic Millions and Inglis Easter and at Randwick on Monday morning he had two runners at the official 2YO trials and both of them came out winners.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 22
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2025 National Thoroughbred Week Launched
National Thoroughbred Week, the newly launched industry initiative designed to bring the public closer to the thoroughbred and our sport, is excited to confirm a truly trans-Tasman exposure, with hosts confirmed across all Australian and New Zealand regions.