G3 Gold Trail Stakes Next for Shamus Award Filly

Media Release - Tuesday September 5

The first week of the NRL finals will keep NZ Warriors assistant coach Stacey Jones occupied this weekend, but he is looking forward to having the distraction of watching one of his horses compete for Group glory at Hastings.

Jones is a member of the Te Akau Awarded Racing Partnership who race undefeated three-year-old filly Quintessa, and she will have her first crack at stakes level in the Gr.3 HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.

Quintessa will contest the Gr.3 HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The daughter of Shamus Award won her only start as a juvenile at Pukekohe in March before returning as a three-year-old and won first-up over 1100m at Taupo last month.

Jones credits NZ Warriors chief executive and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Cameron George for his involvement in the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained filly.

“I got involved through Cameron George and went from there,” Jones told SENZ’s Breakfast with Izzy and Kempy.

“I have watched the last two races she has had and it has been pretty exciting.”

Jones is looking forward to her competing at a higher level this weekend and received positive reports from Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis at the NZ Warriors awards on Monday night.

“I had a good chat with David Ellis last night at the Warriors presentation night. He is pretty excited about it too,” he said.

Advertisement

Jones is experiencing a standout season with the Warriors, who will compete against the NRL Minor Premiers the Penrith Panthers in Penrith on Saturday.

Fresh off a loss to the Dolphins in Brisbane last Saturday, Jones is hoping his team can turn that form around this weekend.

“We rested a few of our senior players on the weekend and they should be fresh and ready to go,” he said.

“It was a disappointing game on the weekend. We didn’t play how we wanted to play. We have got to make some big improvements from that going into this game against a team that has been a benchmark for a long time.”

The Warriors awards were a big night for club stalwart Shaun Johnson, who took home three awards, including the Simon Mannering Medal as the club’s player of the year.

“Shauny picked up the big award, which he full deserved,” Jones said.

“He got the players player (of the year), the clubs player, the supporters player. There were a lot of other players who have had a great season so far, but he certainly deserved everything he got last night.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Reserve Bank Leads Inglis Charge
Dynamic 3YO colt Reserve Bank (Capitalist) capped off an unbeaten Adelaide carnival with victory in today’s $1m G1 Goodwood at Morphettville.
Inglis Digital Buy Barber Wins Takeover Target
Having just his second start for his new connections after being purchased for $215,000 from the Godolphin draft at last year’s Inglis Digital December Online Sale, Exceed And Excel gelding Barber captured the $250,000 Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford.
Catchy Family on Fire!
A high profile female family that centres around Group I MRC Blue Diamond winner Catchy, who sold at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale this week for $800,000, was in the spotlight on Saturday producing two new stakes-winners.
Quintessa Primed to Bounce Back for Te Akau
The departure of 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz has done little to slow Te Akau Racing’s progress in Australia, and trainer Mark Walker hopes the stable’s strong spring momentum will continue at Caulfield on Saturday.
Know Thyself Captures The Coast
In outstanding form, having won his last three in a row leading into the $500,000 The Coast 3&4YO Quality (1600m) at Gosford, the Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich trained Know Thyself (The Autumn Sun) justifiably started the race favourite.
Best On Breeding
Having last raced in the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m) at Randwick in April, has been set a difficult task when she resumes under topweight in a very open Tobin Brothers Cockram Stakes (1200m) on Memsie Stakes Day at Caulfield.
Te Akau Chasing Another Cup Day Success
Last year’s Melbourne Cup Day concluded in success for Mark Walker in the Gr.3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m), a race he will chase back-to-back crowns in on Tuesday with Kiwi mare Quintessa.
Redwood's Antino Tops $2.5mil in G2 Hollindale Win
Jockey Blake Shinn produced another masterful ride on Antino as the dashing son of Redwood assumed command of the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) rounding the home bend and careered away for a three-and-a-half length victory over Fawkner Park and Kovalica.
Trapeze Artist filly Wins Listed Gold Coast Bracelet
Godolphin don’t buy many yearlings at Australian sales, but one that did take their fancy at Inglis Easter in 2023 was a $260,000 Trapeze Artist filly they purchased from Widden Stud and she became a stakes-winner on Saturday.
Quintessa All Courage in G3 Cockram Stakes
Class told in Saturday's Group III Tobin Brothers Cockram Stakes (1200m) when New Zealand's Group 1 winner Quintessa made light of her 60kgs at her seasonal debut.