Group Two Guineas Winner for Niagara

Media Release - Tuesday February 6
Graeme Richardson went to Te Rapa looking for an answer from Xbox and the talented three-year-old gave him an emphatic reply.

Xbox - Trish DunnellThe Matamata horseman, who trains in partnership with Gavin Parker, sent the son of Niagara beyond a mile for the first time in Tuesday's Gr.2 Warren Storm Lifebrokers Waikato Guineas (2000m).

Xbox's tenacious victory at the expense of Mongolianconqueror earned him a $10 quote for next month's Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie.

"That was awesome, it gave me a big thrill," Richardson said. "He's a good horse and he deserved it. 

He worked up really well and he is the type of horse that can switch off in his races, he relaxes."

Xbox raced close to the pace before he hit the front 250m from home and then held off the late charge of Mongolianconqueror for a narrow victory.

"He's still green and learning and he got to the front a bit too soon," Richardson said. "I thought the other one was going to roll him before my bloke fought back."

Bred and part-owned by racing photographer Trish Dunell, Xbox was partnered by Trudy Thornton who had also guided him to his previous win in an age group event at Ellerslie.

In winning the Guineas , Xbox becomes the first stakes-winner for royally bred Niagara, who comes from the family of champion Australian sire Redoutes' Choice.

"We got there a bit too easy and he's still green, but he's a very talented horse," Thornton said.

"I was never worried about him getting the trip. He relaxes really well, he's very exciting."

Time Lord and Rock On Wood both made good ground to finish third and fourth respectively. – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Xbox Another Stakes Success for NZB Ready to Run
Having previously won over 1100 and 1500 metres, classy three-year-old Xbox(NZ) (Niagara) passed his first stamina test with flying colours in Tuesday’s $100,000 Group 2 Warren Storm Lifebrokers Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa.
So You Think 2YO SW Sold to Hong Kong
A month after his barnstorming stakes victory at Ellerslie, smart juvenile Do You Just has been sold and will continue his racing career in Hong Kong.
Royal Ascot Day 2 – Godolphin Strike, Blueblood and Bargain
More action and excitement at Royal Ascot on Day 2 with a Godolphin late bloomer winning his first G1, JMac in the winners circle on a speedy squib turned miler and 2YO stakes races produced a blueblood filly and a bargain 9000 guinea colt, whose 'Havana' sireline is coming to Australia this spring.
Unbeaten Wootton Bassett Colt Wins G2 Queen’s Vase
A sire of rare versatility Wootton Bassett (GB) made his mark at Royal Ascot on Day 2 when his unbeaten three year-old colt Carmers made it three wins from as many starts in the Group II Queen’s Vase (1m6f).
Extremely Promising Debut Winner
A small field of six, but plenty of quality in the juvenile fillies maiden at Canterbury on Wednesday with victory going to Kakadu Sunset, a first starter by Extreme Choice.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 19
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
SA Oaks Goal for New Zealand Oaks Runner-Up
Waverley trainer Bill Thurlow was pleased with the runner-up performance of lightly-raced three-year-old Beyond The Fort in last Saturday’s Group I New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
Niagara Filly Wins Warstep Stakes
Classy three-year-old Beyond The Fort franked her gritty runner-up effort in the Gr.
Tassort 2YO Wins on Debut in NZ
Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray wouldn’t usually present a horse to the races without a trial, but that indicated how much they thought of Love The Sort, and she bolted in on debut at the Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday.
One to Watch – Canterbury
There were some interesting maiden winners at Canterbury on Wednesday and they included the half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel who continued the current winning run for his young sire Brutal.