El Roca Mare Wins Stella Artois Championship Qualifier

Media Release - Monday November 27

Frank Ritchie had anything but a relaxed watch as Gwen’s Daughter descended down the Pukekohe straight on Saturday, but he was delighted when she prevailed in the Stella Artois Championship Qualifier (1500m).

The mare had run second behind an impressive Uderzo a week prior at Tauranga but may have been much closer having veered towards the outer rail in the closing stages, and came into Saturday’s event rated a $10.90 fifth-favourite with TAB bookmakers.

With the addition of blinkers at Pukekohe, Gwen’s Daughter shot out of the gates alGwen's Daughter on her way to victory in the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Qualifier at Pukekohe. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Imagesmost a length clear of her 13 race-rivals under Ashvin Goindasamy, before slotting into a comfortable trailing position on the fence behind bold pacemaker In Her Presence.

The daughter of El Roca travelled strongly into the home straight taking up the lead effortlessly, and despite attempting to veer outwards in her typical fashion from the 200m, displayed raw ability to hold off Navigator and Slipper Island by three-quarters-of-a-length.

“She’s a genuine mare, but she’s got to have a little bit of cut in the ground, so we were pleased she got that one,” Ritchie said.

“She has got one bad habit, as soon as she hits the front she just wanders. We put blinkers on her initially to try and keep her going straight but she still wobbles. A couple of times she’s gone right out towards the outside fence and cost herself races.

“She’s just that sort of mare really, doesn’t have that much confidence in herself.”

The victory assures Gwen’s Daughter a place in the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final on Boxing Day at Pukekohe, however, Ritchie is cautious of dry track conditions before confirming her start.

“She’ll have to have a suitable track, it came back to a Good3 on Saturday, but I thought it might’ve been a Good4, which I think is her limit. She just can’t cope with it too hard,” he said.

Advertisement

“I probably won’t be giving her another run before then, she’s got enough points now to get in the race and that was the first time I’ve backed her up.

“She’s very tall and long-barrelled and doesn’t carry a lot of condition, so I found it better giving her time between races.

“We’ll be wishing for some rain around that time to keep it that way, if we do get that she’ll start and then out for a spell.”

Ritchie is in the ownership of the five-year-old, while he also trained her talented dam Gwen’s Rules who recorded nine victories and several black-type performances, including finishing runner-up in the 2003 Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1200m).

“Her mother was a lovely mare and she ran second in the Railway, even though she used to tie-up badly and had a number of issues,” he said.

“I loved her, she was a wonderful racehorse and put everything into it.”

Peter Archer, a Cambridge-based breeder and owner, had purchased Gwen’s Rules for just $9,000, and a number of years later bred her daughter alongside Westbury Thoroughbreds, who has now recorded three wins and five minor placings from 15 starts. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
2025 Group I Belmont Stakes - Godolphin Celebrate Victory in Triple Crown Finale
Back in May, Godolphin had a rare magical 48 hours when they won the Group I Newmarket 1000 and 2000 Guineas, plus the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks with all four of those star three year-olds scheduled to race over the last 48 hours – so how did they fare?
Cosmic Fire a New SW for Cosmic Force
Sunshine Coast trainer Billy Healey was thrilled to have a stakes-winner on a big carnival day at Eagle Farm with his talented Cosmic Force three year-old gelding Cosmic Fire soaring to new heights when taking out the $200,000 Listed BRC Queensland Day Stakes (1200m).
Spritely 7YO Wins G3 Hyperion - 'Loved Again' Does the Trick!
Group One winner Western Empire (Iffraaj) is back in the winner's circle after a frustrating start to this campaign and is now a $3million earner!
Inglis Easter Segenhoe Stakes Double
Outstanding mare Joliestar (Zoustar) secured a third career G1 win with a staggering come-from-behind victory in today’s Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm.
Third Generation Epsom Derby Hero for Coolmore
The Group I Epsom Derby (1m4f) was the big highlight overnight in the UK and the scratching of Godolphin owned favourite Ruling Court due to track condition meant it was an open affair with the second string horse from Ballydoyle in Lambourn coming up trumps and also bringing joy for the Aussie offshoot of his family.
Yulong Win G1 Met Mile at Saratoga
Yulong have made high profile bloodstock investments all over the world and while they have a US trained miler headed to Royal Ascot in Carl Spackler (IRE), they have another currently racing in North America and Raging Torrent carried their colours to victory at a rain soaked Saratoga to win the Group I Metropolitan Mile (1m).
Levendi Thriving at Magnum Park in Tasmania
Magnum Park is proud to announce that their well credentialled young stallion Levendi will stand at the Old Beach property this spring.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 7
Here is the full list of 123 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 8
Here is the full list of 70 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Successive Stakes Wins For Flying Artie’s In Flight
With all her wins being on soft and heavy rated tracks, trainer Joe Pride has chased the rain of late with 4yo Flyng Artie mare In Flight winning the Listed BRC Bright Shadow Stakes last time out at Doomben, before scoring a late dive victory at Randwick on Saturday in the Listed ATC Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m).