Te Akau Savabeel Mare Seeking G1

Media Release - Thursday March 28

Quality performer Fashion Shoot has yet to win beyond 1400m, but the in-form mare’s camp is confident she can go the distance at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared representative will step up to a mile in the hands of Opie Bosson in the Gr.1 NZEA New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), having produced a flawless dress rehearsal.

Fashion Shoot will contest Saturday's Gr.1 NZEA New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie.   Photo: Race Images South

Fashion Shoot defeated dual elite level winner Mustang Valley last time out at Tauranga and, despite a 3kg weight shift in favour of her race rival, another top showing is expected from the six-year-old.

She will spearhead a quartet of runners at the meeting with Bosson to also partner Puketiro and I Choose You in their undercard assignments while Vinnie Colgan will be aboard She Turns Heads.

“Fashion Shoot is in really good form and thriving on her racing. This is the time to have a crack at the trip,” Bergerson said.

“She’s drawn out a bit but she’s better ridden cold so it shouldn’t make too much of a difference.

“She always tries her heart out and the key is to get her to settle. If she gets the splits, then I’m sure she can give it a good shake.

“The two favourites (La Crique and Mustang Valley) will be very hard to beat but we are happy with our mare.”

Fashion Shoot has the tidy record of seven wins, including the Gr.3 Canterbury Stakes (1400m) and 14 placings from 31 starts and a Group One credit will significantly boost her future broodmare value.

Stablemate Puketiro, also a daughter of Savabeel, hasn’t raced since November but is forward to return to action in the Fiber Fresh Handicap (1200m).

The winner of four of her seven starts, the four-year-old has trialled at Tauranga and Taupo ahead of her return.

Advertisement

“She’s always been above average and can get a bit fiery at times, but this time around she is going well,” Bergerson said.

“Hopefully, she will run well and we can get her to that Listed race (City of Napier Sprint, 1200m) at Otaki in a few weeks’ time.”

I Choose You will bid for two wins on the bounce in the Entain-NZB Pearl Series Final (1400m) after successfully resuming at Trentham earlier this month.

“She won really well and seems to be settling a lot better now,” Bergerson said.

“She was stakes placed as a two-year-old in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr.2, 1200m) and we’ve always thought highly of her, but she has been a bit disappointing since her two-year-old year.

“Her work at home has been super this time around and her galloped well on Tuesday so hopefully she can continue on from that first-up win.”

She Turns Heads is a consistent filly and makes strong each way appeal in the Barfoot & Thompson Handicap (1400m).

“She’s had 13 starts for a win and 10 placings so it was good to see her finally break through at Matamata and she ran well again at Tauranga,” Bergerson said.

“She has drawn wide (9), but we will ride her cold so it shouldn’t make any difference and hopefully she can put her hand up again.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
2.3million Justify Colt Wins G1 Newmarket 2000 Guineas for Godolphin
The weekend started well for Godolphin when their unbeaten filly Good Cheer won the Group I Kentucky Oaks on Friday and it got even better on Saturday when record priced  €2.3million Justify colt Ruling Court landed the Group I Newmarket 2000 Guineas in the UK.
FBAA Mentorship Program - Successful Applicants Announced
The FBAA is excited to announce the selection of two mentees to participate in the second annual FBAA Mentorship Program commencing 19th May 2025.
Twin Hills Weanling Draft Showcases Daumier and Peltzer
Olly and Amber Tait’s Twin Hills Stud at Cootamundra is home to a couple of young fledgling sires in G1 Blue Diamond winner Daumier and Peltzer, who recently had his first winner and their draft for the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale starting on Monday has a good representation for both young stallions.
Inglis Australian Weanlings - Unraced Trial Report
With the Inglis Australian Weanling sale kicking off on Monday don’t forget to check the unraced trialler report for a bit more intel on what might be coming.
Kennedy’s Cup Week Raid Continues with Breeders’ Crown
The Riccarton Park crowd is getting all too used to the masterful tactics of Warren Kennedy, and the premiership-leading hoop produced another black-type winning ride in guiding Fashion Shoot to victory in the Group 3 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
Raining Black Type at Geisel Park
Geisel Park and its Group 1 racehorse and sire Manhattan Rain are poised to launch another winning wave in Group company at home and on the road with their fillies and mares in May.
Sires With Winners - Sunday May 4
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Newgate to Offer Femminile at MM National
The month's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast received an incredible update when rising staying star Femminile won the Group One SA Derby (2500m) at Morphettville yesterday.
One to Watch – Sale
Reigning Australian Horse of the Year Pride of Jenni was not the only ‘Jenni’ making a trip to the winner’s circle this weekend.
Kentucky Derby Triumph for Godolphin
Sheikh Mohammed’s revered Godolphin racing and breeding operation have won Derbies all over the world, but until today the Kentucky Derby had proven elusive, but a three year-old colt called Sovereignty changed all that at Churchill Downs before a crowd in excess of 150,000.