El Roca Mare on Target for G1 on Wednesday

Media Release - Tuesday October 1

Ultra-consistent mare Faraglioni is out to shed her bridesmaid’s tag in Wednesday’s Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Matamata.

Three weeks’ ago, the daughter of El Roca finished a game runner-up to Grail Seeker in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m), an identical result to last season’s Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m) and Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m).

Josh Shaw, who trains Faraglioni out of Levin, had the fortune of basing her in Hawke’s Bay throughout the week prior to the original Arrowfield meeting on Saturday, which was abandoned following to the first race.

Group One contender Faraglioni during an exhibition gallop at Taupo last month.  Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

“I think she’s probably better off than most because she didn’t have that travel up to Hastings last week, I based her up there for the week prior,” he said.

“Every other horse was likely either in transit or on course, but she never left her box.

“Going up to Matamata (on Tuesday) will just be like travelling for any other race for her really.”

Advertisement

While delighted with her effort in the Tarzino, Shaw is hopeful the mare can collect a deserved stakes crown at the rescheduled meeting, where Johnathon Riddell remains on board from barrier 10.

“Her run in the Tarzino was very good, I was expecting with that draw that she would be able to position up where she wanted to and she just ran into one better unfortunately,” he said.

“She had a good piece of work on Sunday morning, she worked with a mate of Guy Lowry’s and that ended up being her final piece of work. She had a trot and a canter today and will do the same before travelling up.

“Hopefully we can go one better.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Ciaron Maher Stayer Ready for G3 Wellington Cup
Expat Australian hoop Matt Cartwright is looking forward to teaming up with his old boss at Trentham on Saturday when he rides Interpretation in the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m).
G1 Goal for El Roca Mare
Josh Shaw tasted Group glory with Hinepara last year and he has got a craving for more.
Widden Stakes - A Race Rich in History
2YO racing in Australia was not always the popular slice of the racing spectrum that it is today.
First Winner for Wild Ruler
In the same week Newgate young gun Profiteer sired his first winner, his barnmate Wild Ruler has followed suit with the Rod Northam trained gelding Savage Look making a winning debut at Scone on Thursday.
Stellar Summer Sale Closes out Karaka 2026
The final session of NZB’s 100th National Yearling Sale took place at Karaka on Thursday, with a strong inaugural Karaka Summer Sale.
Arrowfield Announce Dubawi G1 Winner for 2026
Arrowfield Stud is delighted to announce that Juddmonte’s Group 1-winning miler Lead Artist (Dubawi – Obligate by Frankel) will join the Stud’s 2026 stallion roster under a shuttle arrangement.
Breeding To Win - 2026 G3 ATC Widden Stakes
The Group III ATC Widden Stakes (1100m) has drawn a field of 10 lovely fillies and none have won a race so we are relying on potential and pedigree to find the winner.
Bloodstockauction.com Excited to Offer Stakes Quality Duo on Behalf of Sutton Park Racing
In what is becoming the norm for pioneering online bloodstock vendors Bloodstockauction.com, this week’s catalogue features two elite quality gallopers in Sutton Park Racing duo Jealous and Kaluakoi.
El Roca Mare Ready for G2 Westbury Stud Classic
Levin trainer Josh Shaw left Foxton a happy man on Tuesday after his Group One performer Faraglioni took out her 1200m trial ahead of next Saturday’s Gr.2 Westbury Stud Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie.
Oaks Plan for Ocean Park Filly
A long-range plan for Crimson Sky continues to gain momentum and another encouraging performance at Trentham will confirm a crack at the end goal of the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).