Burgundy Mare Flower Of Wanaka blooms in Tauranga Classic

Media Release - Saturday July 1

Trainer Chrissy Bambry celebrated her recent engagement with a huge result at Hastings on Saturday when Flower Of Wanaka downed a solid line-up of fillies and mares in the Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (1400m).

Flower of Wanaka winning at Hastings on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North

The four-year-old daughter of Burgundy made light of her support on the tote, which saw her start at odds of better than $45, as she produced a resolute finish in the concluding stages to hold out the fast-finishing Secret Amour and another outsider in Shelbyrock’n.

Unsighted since finishing third at Otaki back in November, the one-race winner didn’t look out of her grade as she travelled sweetly during the contest where race favourite Wessex set up a breakneck speed in front.

Wessex began to battle at the 200m as Flower Of Wanaka and rider Lily Sutherland swept to the front, quickly putting the final result beyond doubt as they took the win by just on two lengths.

Bambry, who recently returned from a break in Fiji with fiancée Andrew Lacy, was thrilled to get the victory with a mare she describes as “an absolute honey”.

“She is a mare who just tries so hard and is a pleasure to do anything with,” Bambry said.

“She loves it here at Hastings, so we thought we would kick off her new campaign in the rating 65 1400m, but when they moved this race here, I thought we should give it a go and test her out in stakes company.

“She has really matured over the break she had and while I thought she would be a chance I was surprised at just how easily she won it.”

Bambry was quick to praise the ride of apprentice Sutherland, who followed her instructions to the letter.

Advertisement

“Lily was just superb,” she said.

“We had a chat and noted that Wessex was likely to go forward strongly, so I didn’t want to be too far off her at the turn.

“Lily got her in a lovely rhythm and when she wound up she just burst away from them.

“She comes from a lovely family and this win really adds to her value in the future, so I think we might see if we can get her more black type over the next few months.

“I don’t have any specific targets, but I will talk to her owner and see if we might put in a late nomination for the Winter Cup at Riccarton.”

The Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) will be run at Riccarton on August 5.

Bred and raced by Gene Tsoi under his Standard 2020 Ltd banner, Flower Wanaka is a daughter of the Green Perfume mare Wanaka, the dam of Gr.2 Western Australian Derby (2400m) winner Tuscan Dream and a half-sister to 2003 Singapore Horse Of The Year, Zirna. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Raging Force Bolts in at Randwick
Cosmic Force 2YO Raging Force was sent around in the Group III ATC Breeder’s Plate on debut last spring finishing sixth to King Kirk and coming out of the race with an injury, but time and a patient approach has put his career back on track.
Irish Oaks Possible for Royal Ascot Fairytale Filly
The biggest story in terms of our audience reads from Royal Ascot last week was by far and away the one on the Aussie owned underdog three year-old filly Cercene, who captured the Group I Coronation Stakes.
Tassort Filly Too Classy at Randwick
Stakes-placed two starts back in the Listed Woodlands Stud Stakes at Scone, talented 2YO Tassort filly Wollzeile proved too classy at Randwick on Wednesday.
One To Watch – Randwick
After impressing on debut, the Chris Waller trained 3yo Super Seth filly Frosty Girl (NZ) took on the older mares on the Kensington track, remaining unbeaten with another stylish victory to become Breednet’s One To Watch.
Positive Build Up to Karaka Weanling Sale
Stars of the future go under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday with New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale set to commence at 10am.
Storm Boy Retired to Coolmore Australia
An utterly dominant winner of the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the hugely exciting son of the international sire sensation Justify is set to join the Coolmore Australia roster in 2025.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 25
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hong Kong Buyer Secures Top Lot June (Late) Sale at $500,000
The impact of the recent success in Hong Kong of horses sourced on Inglis Digital was in evidence today, with the top lot and the third top lot bought by Hong Kong-based owners.
Nice 2YO Winner for Vinery Value Sire
He might be the least expensive sire on the Vinery roster this spring at a fee of just $6,600, but Headwater gets his share of winners and produced a new two year-old winner at Doomben on Wednesday.
Capitalist 2YO Wins for Doyle
Nathan Doyle and his team would be bubbling with excitement surrounding the return of their unbeaten G1 star Private Harry, but as they say ‘little fish are sweet’ and the stable were in the winner’s circle at Wyong on Tuesday with a two year-old son of Capitalist.