First Stakes Win for Burgundy Mare Sassy Merlot

Media Release - Saturday April 20

An autumn trip to Canterbury has turned out to be career-defining for Matamata mare Sassy Merlot, who added a valuable black-type win to her record in Saturday’s Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton.

A placegetter in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m), Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) as a three-year-old, Sassy Merlot had struggled to find her best form through her four and five-year-old seasons.

Sassy Merlot powers home to score a valuable victory in Saturday’s Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton.  Photo: Ajay Berry (RIS)

An encouraging third at Hastings on February 28 led to co-trainer Pam Gerard sending her down south, where she finished a close fifth in a 1400m open handicap at Riccarton before winning in Rating 75 grade at Ashburton on April 4.

But on Saturday the southern venture paid off in the best way possible with a Listed victory and the lion’s share of the $80,000 stake.

“She’s been a tough horse all the way through,” Gerard said. “It’s just a little bit harder up north, especially when you get tracks that aren’t quite to suit. I’m really pleased now that we talked the owners into coming down.

“She’s come down here and had one-on-one attention over the last few weeks. Richie (Fallon) has just done the most amazing job and got her back into form.

“The Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m) was originally the target, but she just didn’t travel down all that well and we weren’t sure about the distance. She had a nice run over 1400m instead, then went to Ashburton and won there and boosted her confidence.

“When I saw her after I got off the plane this morning, I thought she’d just gone to another level.”

Advertisement

But even the most resurgent racehorses still need things to go to plan once the gates open, and rider Lisa Allpress had some nervous moments in the early part of Saturday’s race. A slow start made Sassy Merlot’s customary front-running tactics impossible, and she instead took up a position in midfield.

Allpress trucked up in Our Echo’s slipstream coming up to the home turn, then switched to the outside and asked Sassy Merlot to quicken. The response was immediate and Sassy Merlot swept to the lead with more than 300m remaining, then kept finding enough down the long Riccarton straight to turn back the late challenges of Third Decree and Millefiori and win by a length.

“That was a strong performance,” Allpress said. “My instructions went out the window a few seconds before we jumped. She was just standing there like a statue, and I knew she wasn’t going to jump well. There wasn’t much I could do about it at that stage.

“I was supposed to ride her forward, but I had no choice but to go back and get some cover, then try to find a nice back to follow into the race. It all worked out nicely in the end and she kicked really well.

“Her last-start win was phenomenal, and I knew she had that residual fitness on her side as well. When I asked her in the straight, she just shot out from underneath me. It was a good feeling.”

Sassy Merlot was bred by Advantageous Ventures Ltd, who offered her in Book 3 of Karaka 2020. The daughter of Burgundy was bought for $24,000 by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables, and her 28-start career has now produced five wins, seven placings and $181,145. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

Advertisment

Race Result - Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes LR 1400m

Riccarton Park Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:22.63
1
Sassy Merlot
- 5m Burgundy (NZ) x Saveadance (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: L J Allpress 53
2
1
Third Decree
- 4m War Decree (USA) x Elusive Chik (NZ) (Elusive City (USA))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: Ms K Williams 57
3
1.8
Millefiori
- 5m Iffraaj (GB) x Miss Bluebell (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: N S Parmar 56
4
2
Adannaya
- 6m Niagara (AUS) x Elusive Tracy (NZ) (Elusive City (USA))
Tnr: L M Robinson Rdr: J J Fawcett 56
5
2.8
The Radiant One
- 5m Darci Brahma (NZ) x The Diamond One (AUS) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: Dennis Bros Rdr: A Comignaghi 55
6
3.5
Ears Back
- 5m Jakkalberry (IRE) x Makesmewonder (AUS) (Grass Wonder (USA))
Tnr: J C Blackadder Rdr: L T Hemi 55
7
4.3
The Good Shepherd
- 6g Power (GB) x Likeapins (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: S D Blair-edie Rdr: G A Jogoo 53.5
8
4.7
Lord Darci
- 6g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Madam Victoria (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: B & R Wilson Rdr: T R Moseley 56
9
4.8
Hasstobeyou
- 6m Darci Brahma (NZ) x Sinead (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: R C Dennis Rdr: S L Wynne 53
10
5.1
Burnvue
- 8g Redwood (GB) x Instant Candy (NZ) (Canny Lad (AUS))
Tnr: L M Robinson Rdr: A C Goindasamy 53.5
11
5.7
Emanon
- 5m Burgundy (NZ) x Geordie Girl (NZ) (Towkay (AUS))
Tnr: L G Dobbs Rdr: U A Holmquist 58
12
5.8
Our Echo
- 7g Echoes Of Heaven (AUS) x Sakura Cluden (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: D B Frye Rdr: L Sutherland 59
13
7.3
Goodanya
- 8g Zacinto (GB) x Anya (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: Ainsley Mcleod Rdr: K Chowdhoory 54
14
9.2
The Hottie
- 6m Swiss Ace (AUS) x The Countessa (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Robbie Patterson Rdr: C R Barnes 55
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Monday May 5
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Widden Stud Sell $775,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Widely tipped as a likely sale-topper at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, the Widden Stud consigned Too Darn Hot (GB) colt from Enbihaar did not disappoint when fetching $775,000.
One to Watch – Kembla
Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Nepotism is not the only talented two year-old winner by Brutal this season that was bred and sold by Gilgai Farm.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 6
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
100th National Yearling Sale to Debut New Format
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, a significant milestone to celebrate.
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets New Record at Inglis Weanling Sale
A new record price for the Australian Weanling Sale was set at Riverside today when a Stay Inside x Sheidel filly offered by Noorilim Park sold for $650,000.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
First Season Highlights – These Guys Made an Impression
The Inglis Australian Weanling Sale gave buyers the opportunity to have a first look at the progeny of a new crop of  first season sires and the big banger of the group duly produced the highest priced baby from this cohort of sires.
Records Tumble at Huge Australian Weanling Sale
The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price of $775,000 paid for a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), a record gross and record average.
Westbury Stud Announce 2025 Fees
Westbury Stud is pleased to announce the 2025 service fees for its high performing stallion roster, providing breeders with an accessible source of proven bloodlines at excellent value.