New SW for Almanzor - Positivity Wins G3 Sunline Stakes

Media Release - Saturday March 2

Unheralded Almanzor filly Positivity sprang an upset at Ellerslie on Saturday when she fought doggedly in the run home to take out the Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) and claim her first stakes victory.

The Andrew Forsman-prepared three-year-old was having just her fifth start and had looked a likely staying prospect when breaking her maiden status over 1600m a Tauranga at just her second start.

Positivity springs an upset under Masa Hashizume in the Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

She was spotted running on nicely in two subsequent efforts in black-type company without much luck, however, punters overlooked those performances as she drifted to $18 in the Fixed Odds market which was headed up by Qali Al Farrasha ($3.30).

Rider Masa Hashizume made a mid-race move on a moderate tempo to sit outside the leader from the 1400m before tackling pacemaker Nepheti shortly after turning for home.

Qali Al Farrasha joined issue quickly and hit the front however Positivity refused to give in and fought back strongly to take the win by just on half a length as Still Bangon made up good ground from well back to finish third.

Forsman stable representative Gemma Hewetson was delighted with the filly who holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubal New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham later this month.

“That’s just so good as she has just got better every time she has gone to the races,” she said.

“She hasn’t had a lot of luck her last two starts and this was a good tough run.

“Andrew has always held a big opinion of her as she is a beautiful filly.

Advertisement

“She had done everything right and we didn’t go Hastings with her (for the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes, 2100m) which was a blessing and she has done it here today.”

Hashizume, who was completing a double for the day after taking out race one aboard Gentian Blue, was full of praise for the filly after they were trapped wide early in the race.

“We got caught three wide early so may initial thought was to go and lead,” he said.

“I wanted to take a sit early but had to roll forward and when they came up her in the straight, she switched on and it was a very tough win.

“After the line she was about to pull up, but when another horse went past her she grabbed the bit and tried to keep going though I think she can go further.”

Raced by Ben Kwok who purchased her for $160,000 out of the Woburn Farm draft during the Book 1 sale at Karaka, Positivity is the 13th SW for Almanzor (Fr)  and was bred by the late Sir Patrick Hogan and Lady Justine Hogan along with Peter Walker.

She is out of Walker’s Group One placegetter Pussy O’Reilly and from an extended family that includes stakes winners Pussy Willow, Dopff and Valpolicella.

TAB Bookmakers have installed her as the equal $8 favourite alongside Still Bangon for the New Zealand Oaks on 16 March. LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - McKee Family Sunline Vase Gr3 2100m

Ellerslie Track: Good(4) Time: 2:11.64
1
Positivity
- 3f Almanzor (FR) x Pussy O'reilly (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: M Hashizume 56.5
2
0.3
Qali Al Farrasha
- 3f Almanzor (FR) x Nucleonic (NZ) (Burgundy (NZ))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: O P Bosson 56.5
3
1.8
Still Bangon
- 3f Satono Aladdin (JPN) x Shebang (NZ) (Le Bec Fin (NZ))
Tnr: S R Autridge Rdr: M Cameron 56.5
4
1.9
Vera Rose
- 3f Fiorente (IRE) x Powerful Story (NZ) (Written Tycoon (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: P Graberg 56.5
5
2
Moonlight Magic
- 3f Almanzor (FR) x Japonica (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: W B Kennedy 56.5
6
3.3
Livid Sky
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Lady Lucille (NZ) (Istidaad (USA))
Tnr: S R Autridge Rdr: S R Weatherley 56.5
7
3.6
Nepheti
- 3f Charm Spirit (IRE) x Nymph (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: S Ritchie & C Murray Rdr: M J Mc Nab 56.5
8
3.7
Chaource
- 3f Reliable Man (GB) x Fromage (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: C J Grylls 56.5
9
4.8
Black Betty
- 3f Zed (NZ) x Lonhrielle (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: J R Wheeler Rdr: K R Hercock 56.5
10
6.1
Tulsi
- 3f The Autumn Sun (AUS) x Talimena (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Darryn & Briar Weatherley Rdr: L J Allpress 56.5
11
13.5
Suavetta
- 3f Almanzor (FR) x Suad (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: S & E Clotworthy Rdr: Joe Doyle 56.5
More Reading...
Almanzor Filly Wins G3 SA Fillies Classic
The Andrew Forsman-trained Positivity proved a grade above her rivals when cruising to a near two-length victory in the SA Fillies Classic (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Almanzor Mare Ready to Fire for Forsman
Andrew Forsman is no stranger to big-race success on Caulfield Cup Day, and he is hoping the 2024 edition of one of Australia’s biggest racedays will deliver more of that winning feeling.
Sires Pack Profitable Punch at Weanling Sale
There are many members of New Zealand’s stallion ranks whose progenies racetrack results far exceed their service fee.  Next month’s NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka is an ideal opportunity for traders and end users to secure the progeny of these creditable sires.
Sires With Winners - Thursday May 29
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
King’s Legacy Filly Wins by Three
The Lindsay Park team produced an impressive juvenile winner at Pakenham on Thursday evening with King’s Legacy filly Bella Pietra winning as she pleased.
Expensive Ghaiyyath Colt Wins Stakes
Darley shuttler Ghaiyyath (IRE) had his first Australian winner earlier this week and overnight produced a new stakes-winner in the UK where Godolphin owned colt Opera Ballo won the Listed Heron Stakes (1m)at Sandown.
Little Avondale’s Weanlings Follow Successful Footsteps
Graduates of Little Avondale Stud’s drafts at the NZB National Weanling Sale have a proud record of racetrack success, and stud principal Sam Williams believes his class of 2025 compares favourably with previous years.
Almanzor Mare Exceeding Expectation
Andrew Forsman always intended to aim Positivity at Saturday’s Gr.3 Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington, but the Cambridge trainer has been caught off guard by what his rising star stayer has already achieved this spring.
Verry Exciting Weekend Looms
New Zealand horseman Nicholas Bishara will cross the Tasman this weekend to watch his filly Belle Detelle, a three-quarter sister to his ill-fated 11-time Group One Verry Elleegant, contest the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m).
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Derby
It’s been 15 years since Dariana thumped the colts to win the Queensland Derby (2400m) in 2010 and maybe it’s time for another filly to triumph!