Mare in Foal to Satono Aladdin Chasing Black Type

Media Release - Friday November 24

Black-type performer Flower Of Wanaka will depart from Chrissy Bambry’s stable early in the new year, but the Foxton trainer is aiming high during her final few weeks with the Burgundy mare.

Flower Of Wanaka is in foal, having been covered by Satono Aladdin since her last-start third placing in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap at Trentham on October 21. The five-year-old will return to the racetrack in Saturday’s Wenham Grain & Seed Open (1340m) at Wanganui.

Flower Of Wanaka will prepare for a potential Group One test in the Wenham Grain & Seed Open (1340m) at Wanganui. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Flower Of Wanaka will prepare for a potential Group One test in the Wenham Grain & Seed Open (1340m) at Wanganui. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

“She’s in foal now, so we’ll be able to keep racing her for those 120 days,” Bambry said. “We’re going to try to see if we can pick up a bit more black type with her during that last period of her racing career.

“She went to the stallion after the Thompson Handicap and ended up being away for only a week, so she didn’t lose very much of her fitness in that time. I even thought about running her in the Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m) at Pukekohe this weekend, but I just felt it would suit her better to ease back into things over the 1340m at Wanganui instead.

“Hopefully she can continue her good form with another competitive run on Saturday, and then we might think about the TAB Classic (Gr.1, 1600m) at Trentham in a couple of weeks’ time.”

Advertisement

Bred and raced by Dr Gene Tsoi, Flower Of Wanaka has had 22 starts for two wins and eight placings. She claimed a valuable Listed victory in the Tauranga Classic (1400m) in early July, and she has since recorded two second placings, a third in the Thompson Handicap and a fourth in the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).

Flower Of Wanaka will be ridden in Saturday’s $50,000 open sprint by Lily Sutherland, whose 2kg claim reduces her weight to just 52kg. Flower Of Wanaka is joined in the line-up by veteran stablemate Deerfield, who was a last-start third placegetter in an open 1400m race at Trentham and will be ridden by Leah Hemi.

Meanwhile, Bambry reported that classy three-year-old filly Chantilly Lace had some through Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in good order. The daughter of U S Navy Flag finished 11th in the classic, after a strong run of spring form that saw her win the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m) and finish second in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) and fourth in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m).

“She’d just had a little bit of a hiccup a few weeks out from the 1000 Guineas, and that interruption to her build-up probably told late in the race,” Bambry said. “She seems to have pulled up really well. She’s bucking around. We’ll give some thought to what we do with her next, but as long as she continues to show us that she’s come through Riccarton well, it’s likely that we’ll keep her in work.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Applications Open For TBA Stud Start Program
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) has opened applications for its Stud Start program, aimed at individuals with little or no experience in the breeding industry.
James Harron Buys Lady Laguna for $2.5million
Astute bloodstock agent James Harron is no stranger to success at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale having purchased elite $6million earning Group I sprinter Sunshine in Paris at the Gold Coast for $3.9million in 2023.
14 Mares Sell for $1million or More - $5.25m Zougotcha the Star
Triple Group One winner Zougotcha became the most expensive horse sold at auction in the Southern Hemisphere this year when she realised $5.25 million at today's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
US Group I Winner for Zoustar
On a day when Widden Stud’s Zoustar produced the $5.25million top seller Zougotcha at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale he also sired a new Group I winner in North America where King of Gosford won the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile (1m) at Santa Anita.
Widden Purchase MM 2YO Classic Winner for $1.35million
Widden Stud were active at the top end as a vendor at the Magic Millions National Sale on Tuesday and also as a buyer securing Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Skirt the Law for $1.35million.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 27
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$5.25million Zougotcha - Waller Stars Set Sale Ring Alight
Chris Waller Racing consigned two of the stable’s superstar older mares to the Magic Millions National Sale on Tuesday with Zougotcha (Zoustar) selling for $5.25million and Atishu (Savabeel) for $2.7million.
First Australian Winner For Ghaiyyath
While four-time Group 1 winner Ghaiyyath (Dubawi) isn’t shuttling to Australia this season after four successive years where he covered 377 mares, supporters of the stallion will be pleased to see that he's recorded his first Australian winner on Tuesday - and it was an impressive one.
Sires With Winners - Monday May 26
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2025 Stud and Stable Staff Awards Winners Announced
The 11th annual Stud and Stable Staff Awards celebrated the winners of seven categories at The QT Hotel on the Gold Coast on Monday, 26 May. The ceremony, hosted by Ally Mosley and James Tzaferis, honoured the exceptional contributions of staff across the Australian thoroughbred industry, with winners representing five states highlighting the national breadth of talent within the industry.