So Naive Wins G3 Northland Breeders Stakes

Media Release - Saturday August 17

The Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley training partnership had plenty to celebrate on Saturday when they produced a superb quinella in the feature event at Ruakaka, the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), with stable runners So Naive and Toruk Makto.

So Naive winning the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka on Saturday.  Photo: Therese Davis

So Naive, a stunning son of The Oaks Stud resident stallion U S Navy Flag, had won twice from four starts during his two-year-old campaign and was fitted for his new season resumption with a comfortable win at the Cambridge trials last month.

Rider Craig Grylls sent him forward from barrier rise but found himself out three wide as pacemakers I’m All In, racing in the colours of race sponsor Cambridge Stud, and Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) placegetter Full Force setting a steady speed in front.

Grylls didn’t panic and had his mount relaxed rounding the home bend as the pressure went on. I’m All In kicked hard at the 200m but so did So Naive as he hit the front shortly afterwards before holding out a late charge from Toruk Makto who closed to within a length with an eye-catching burst from well back in the running.

It was the second time the pair have provided the quinella in a race after they finished in the same order over 1100m at Ellerslie in October last year, with Cooksley delighted with both horses.

“He (So Naive) has grown and got a bit stronger, so the further he goes the better he will get,” Cooksley said.

“Give him another six months and he will be even bigger and stronger but so will the second horse who went good as well.

“It’s good to see the two-year-olds come back well as three-year-olds, so hopefully they can keep going.

Advertisement

“I’m not sure where we will see them next but we will work it out.”

Grylls was also suitably impressed with the victory.

“We were drawn towards the outside and with the inside getting a bit cut up now I was happy to stay out three-wide on the train,” he said.

“I was just keeping out of the kick back as a couple I had ridden earlier had responded badly to it. I was quite happy out there as he is a beautiful big horse and I was pretty confident a wee way out we would pick them up as he let down well.

“He wasn’t real comfortable in it (the wet track) but he showed last season he has a good turn of foot and I think they are going to be in for a lot of fun with him.”

Bred by Dr K C Tan, So Naïve is raced by Able International, a long-term client for the stable after being purchased out of Kilgravin Lodge’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft by Wallace Thoroughbreds for $37,500.

He has now won three of his five starts and $133,000 in prizemoney. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders Stakes Gr3 1200m

Ruakaka Track: Soft(7) Time: 1:12.73
1
So Naive
- 3c U S Navy Flag (USA) x Altai Rose (NZ) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: B Wallace & G Cooksley Rdr: C J Grylls 57
NZB Karaka Book 2 $37,500
Seller: Kilgravin Lodge
Buyer: Wallace Thoroughbreds
2
1.3
Toruk Makto
- 3c Eminent (IRE) x Showmuchfun (NZ) (Bachelor Duke (USA))
Tnr: B Wallace & G Cooksley Rdr: K A Myers 57
NZB Karaka Book 2 $28,000
Seller: Brighthill Farm
Buyer: Wallace Thoroughbreds
3
1.8
I'm All In
- 3c Zoustar (AUS) x Fuld's Bet (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: S C Spratt 57
Zoustar
NZB Karaka Book 1 $0
Seller: Cambridge Stud
Buyer: Withdrawn
4
3.8
Vegas Queen
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Miss Vegas (NZ) (Carlton House (USA))
Tnr: K I Rae Rdr: J J Fawcett 55
5
4.1
Kitty Flash
- 3f Ace High (AUS) x Electrode (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: Joe Doyle 55
6
7.1
Full Force
- 3g Cosmic Force (AUS) x Jawhara (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Hollie Wynyard Rdr: R T Elliot 57
7
13.5
Chicago Jack
- 3c All Too Hard (AUS) x Sawn Off Shotgun (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: S D Cole Rdr: T C Moodley 57
8
32.2
Maracatu
- 3g Ardrossan (AUS) x Cortado (NZ) (Sepoy (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: W B Kennedy 57
More Reading...
Group 1 Durban July Success For Son Of Australian Bred Gimmethegreenlight
Although not having previously sired a winner of South Africa’s greatest race, the Australian bred, South African-based sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) added a 13th individual Group 1 winner to his record when the Dean Kannemeyer trained The Real Prince (SAF) added Saturday’s R5m Group 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July (2200m) to his record.
Dubawi Colt from $US8million Mare Wins G1 Coral Eclipse for Coolmore
Blueblood Dubawi colt Delacroix was a beaten favourite in the Group I Epsom Derby when unplaced behind his stablemate Lambourn, but he found his time to shine overnight when scoring a miraculous last to first win in the Group I Coral Eclipse Stakes (1m2f) at Sandown.
Spring Goals Await Caloundra Cup Winner Half Yours
With spring staying features on their minds, Tony and Calvin McEvoy sent their improving stayer north to Queensland for Saturday’s $300,000 Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) with instant success as the 4yo gelding Half Yours romped home by four and a half lengths.
Sixth Winner for Anders
First past the post at Wyong on June 24, talented Anders filly Sapling lost that race on protest, but quickly made amends when returning to the same track on Saturday to score her first actual victory.
Divine Prophet’s Fortunate Kiss Captures Elusive Black Type Win
With nine top five finishes in previous black type races, it was better late than never as 6yo Divine Prophet mare Fortunate Kiss charged along the inside to win the $300,000 Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday – her first black type victory.
New Sprint Star for WA?
Oakland Park's veteran WA sire Sessions is rarely without a good horse to represent him, and the son of Lonhro now has his sixth stakes winner after exciting 3YO galloper Repossession spanked the older horses to win the Listed Beaufine Stakes at Pinjarra Park.
Sweet Redemption for Stable Favourite Jimmy the Bear
Patrick and Michelle Payne enjoyed a red letter day at Flemington on Saturday with their rising star Buccleuch winning the Listed VRC Taj Rossi Series Final and then later in the day stable favourite Jimmy the Bear won the Listed VRC Winter Championship Series Final (1600m).
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 5
Here is the full list of 112 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New Juvenile Stakes-Winner Wootton Bassett
A two year-old Wootton Bassett  colt bred to stay, Daytona made it two wins as many starts when scoring a dominant win in the Listed Pat Smullen Stakes (1m) at Naas in Ireland overnight.
Flemington Victory for Tarzino Mare
Quirky but talented mare Miss Tarzy has come from last win the Leilani Series Final (1400m) under a patient Jett Stanley ride.