Decision to Retain Filly Richly Rewarded

Media Release - Saturday December 9
Haunui Farm studmaster Mark Chitty never had any thoughts of selling Showcasing's daughter Xpression, who has a full sister headed to Karaka 2018.

Xpression - Race Images

Xpression - Race Images

That determination to keep the filly, which he bred with childhood friend Iain Renton, was vindicated at Trentham on Saturday when she won the Gr.2 Randwick Meats Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m).

"We were 13-year-olds together at King's College and Iain, whose father bred the Melbourne Cup winner Gold And Black, and I had three goes with Showcasing and this one was the best by a mile," Chitty said.

"I said to Iain let's race her and we got a few others involved. It's very exciting."

Out of the Don Eduardo mare Xpress, the Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen-trained Xpression is a three-quarter sister to the Haunui-bred and sold Hardline, winner of the 2015 edition of the Karaka Million (1200m).

"They have done a great job with this filly," Chitty said. "She hasn't taken a backward step since day one."

Third on debut at Otaki last week, Xpression was a stride slow from the gates and came from last to inflict a first defeat on the hot favourite Espumoso, whose run was commendable after being taken on in front.

"She's always been an intelligent horse and really settled after her run the other day," Lowry said.

"She learned a lot from her first start.

"She'll probably have a bit of a break now," Lowry said. "We could look at the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes later on."

Xpression was partnered by Sam Collett, who chased the ride after guiding the youngster's fortunes first time out.

"I was really impressed with what she showed at Otaki," she said. "I said to Guy that I was keen to stick with her, she's got a great constitution.

"She didn't jump that well, but she came up on the bridle at the right time and she finished off very well."

Nala Park will offer a sister to Xpression during the Book 2 sale at Karaka in 2018 as Lot 1077. - NZ Racing Desk.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Showcasing's Play That Song Stays Perfect in Eclipse Stakes
Exciting juvenile Play That Song (NZ) (Showcasing) maintained her unbeaten record when she downed hot favourite Not An Option (Not An Option) to win the first of the feature races at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, the Gr.2 Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes (1200m).
$1,100 Gavelhouse Purchase a Christmas winner
Jenna Mahoney’s $1,000 gavelhouse.com weanling buy Opalescence (NZ) (Showcasing) built on her promising debut second last month to go one better at Awapuni on Saturday.
1.4mil Gns Record at Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up - St Mark's Basilica 750,000 Gns
A colt by Acclamation eclipsed the record price for a lot at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale when selling to Godolphin for 1,400,000 guineas on the opening day of the sale with a St Mark’s Basilica colt second highest at 750,000 guineas.
One to Watch – Kembla
The juvenile maiden at Kembla on Tuesday was an intriguing affair featuring a number of well-bred and very expensive colts on debut, but the winner was a stylish first starter filly by Capitalist that broke 56 seconds for her debut win.
Cool Aza Beel's Cool Archie Impressive in First Win
Cool Aza Beel’s promising son Cool Archie was already stakes placed but threw off the maiden tag emphatically at Doomben on Wednesday with better races beckoning over the winter.
Showcasing to Continue Karaka Million Dominance
Taroni, an impressive 2YO winner at Ellerslie on Boxing Day in the colours of Cambridge Stud's Brendan and Jo Lindsay, joins Group two-winner PLAY THAT SONG, stakes performer Ohio Showgirl and Australian-based Disco Lights to give former Haunui Farm stallion Showcasing (GB) (Oasis Dream) four of the top twelve qualifiers as the countdown to the Karaka Million gets underway in earnest
Pedigree Watch – Euro 3YO - Classic Potential
Interesting racing overnight at Newmarket with a couple of Classic key lead up stakes races for three year-olds and the winners were both first time stakes-winners, one from the family of Sydney autumn carnival staying star Alalcance and the other a homebred Dubawi filly for Juddmonte.
Day One a Breeze for Quality 2YO's
Day One of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw 188 two-year-olds charge down the final straight of Te Rapa Racecourse.
Showcasing Colt was Ciaron's Pick Of The Sale
A strong resemblance to Group1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) winner Jameka led to the first $500,000 sale at Karaka on Sunday.
Switzerland To Stand Alongside Fellow Coolmore Stud Stakes Winner Home Affairs at Jerry’s Plains
Following on from a phenomenal year in the sales ring, which saw first crop Home Affairs yearlings sell for an aggregate of more than $31 million, fellow Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Switzerland will join him in the stallion barn in 2025.