Karaka Graduate a New Stakes-Winner for Astern

Media Release - Saturday April 15

Just 15 days after scoring a maiden win at Cranbourne, talented New Zealand-bred filly Affaire A Suivre stepped into the black-type spotlight in Saturday’s Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) at Morphettville.

Affaire A Suivre steams clear at Morphettville Photo: Atkins Photography

The daughter of Astern is trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, who backed off her in the spring after she was unplaced in her first two starts.

Affaire A Suivre has looked a different horse since returning to action in the autumn, finishing third at Pakenham before collecting her first win at Cranbourne on March 31. Maher and Eustace were happy to throw her in at the deep end in Saturday’s three-year-old feature in Adelaide, and she rose to the occasion.

Ridden by John Allen, Affaire A Suivre settled in sixth spot, one off the rail. Allen began to rev her up as the field approached the home turn, and she had quickly moved into second at the 300m mark.

Affaire A Suivre then set her sights squarely on the leader, her stablemate Running On Time. She slowly but surely wore that rival down, finishing over the top and going clear to score by a length and a half.

Allen believes Saturday’s win was an ideal trial for the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at the same venue on April 29.

“It was a very good win by the filly today, and I’ll look forward to coming back here to ride her in a Group One in a couple of weeks’ time,” the Victorian-based jockey said.

“We had a good run in this race. After a couple crossed us early, we were able to stay one off the fence. She’s quite a big girl, so having a bit of room did her no harm.

Advertisement

“She flowed into it nicely and won the race with a bit of authority. She put them away but was still having a bit of a look around.

“Being the size that she is, she’s probably taken a bit of time to come into herself and fill out, and that could be why her early form might not read that well. But she’s putting everything together nicely now.”

Affaire A Suivre was bred by Courtney and Mandy Howells, who are based at Ainsley Downs Stud in Te Kauwhata. She is the second stakes winner out of the American-bred mare Laurelling, who is also the dam of the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) winner Laure Me In.

Since Affaire A Suivre was foaled in the spring of 2019, Laurelling has produced colts by Ocean Park and Darci Brahma, and she was served by Proisir in the 2022 breeding season.

Affaire A Suivre was offered by Ainsley Downs Stud in Book 1 of Karaka 2021, where she was bought for $75,000 by First Light Racing, Paul Willetts, Ciaron Maher Racing and David Eustace.

With two wins and a placing from five starts, Affaire A Suivre has now earned A$85,480 in stakes.

Saturday’s Port Adelaide Guineas produced a New Zealand-bred quinella, with the second-placed Running On Time being a son of Time Test bred by Little Avondale Stud. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Apocalyptic Crowned Darley Princess with G1 Flight Victory
Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic has been the dominant force in the Darley Princess Series this year and she claimed the jewel in the crown at Randwick on Saturday with a commanding win in the $750,000 Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m).
Sir Delius Delivers G1 Turnbull Stakes Win
Adding Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 VRC Turnbull Stakes (2000m) to his Group 1 MRC Underwood Stakes (1800m) victory last start, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Sir Delius further enhanced his outstanding reputation ahead of an assault on the WS Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
Sensational Seven - Autumn Glow Remains Unbeaten With G1 Epsom Victory
Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Pedigree Watch – Juvenile Stakes-Winners
Three new season juvenile stakes races on Saturday produced a $1million yearling purchase that gave Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside the perfect start to his stud career, a pinhook winner turned stakes-winner and a colt foaled in Australia with a Kiwi pedigree.
War Machine Stakes Everest Claim - G2 Gilgai
David Hayes has a New Zealand-bred superstar heading into the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) in two weeks, where his sons Ben, Will and JD Hayes might line up against him with a Kiwi-bred Group One winner of their own.
Savvy $34,000 Investment Produces G1 Success for Kiwi Breeders
Te Kauwhata breeders Courtney and Mandy Howells had cause for celebration on Saturday night when Affaire A Suivre, a filly they bred and sold, won the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
G1 Metrop Win for Australian Bloodstock
Second in the Italian Derby at three, progressive stayer Royal Supremacy (IRE) had racked up multiple Group placings in Europe before his sale to Australian Bloodstock and broke through for his first ever stakes win when taking out the $750,000 Group I ATC The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
So You Think Filly Wins G2 Edward Manifold
Danny O’Brien believes he has the Group I VRC Oaks in his sights with So You Think filly Getta Good Feeling breaking her maiden in the best way possible with a last stride win in the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Derby Options Alive For Impending Colt
Tony and Calvin McEvoy look to have a smart 3yo on their hands as Impending colt Options wins the Listed VRC Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington and could now be aimed towards the $2m Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) on November 1.
Group 1 Australasian Oaks for Astern Filly Affaire A Suivre
A maiden a month ago, the NZ-bred Astern filly Affaire A Suivre is now a Group 1 winner after she captured the $500,000 Grand Syndications Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on Saturday.