Sweynesse Mare Leads Friday Winning Quartet for Parsons

Media Release - Friday November 29

La Bella Nera headlined an outstanding start to the two-day Cromwell meeting for trainers John and Karen Parsons, who collected four wins on Friday’s eight-race card.

Illness forced Karen Parsons to watch on television at home as On File, Ultimo, La Bella Nera and Funfetti all saluted the judge in the stable’s familiar red, white and blue colours.

La Bella Nera was one of four winners for trainers John and Karen Parsons at Cromwell on Friday. Photo: Race Images South

“I’m sick in bed at home, but today’s results have helped a bit,” Parsons said. “The horses have done well today and it’s been good to watch.”

The day’s biggest win came from La Bella Nera in the Catalyst Performance Clare Memorial Cup (1220m). The Sweynesse mare moved up in grade on Friday, taking on Rating 84 opposition after finishing fourth in a Rating 75 during the New Zealand Cup Carnival in Christchurch earlier in the month. But she rose to the occasion and produced a bold front-running performance.

La Bella Nera was driven straight to the front by apprentice jockey Yogesh Atchamah and dictated terms from there. The two favourites Amberecho and Inflamed were breathing down her neck coming up to the home turn, but La Bella Nera summoned another effort in the straight and held them out strongly by three-quarters of a length. The win brought up a milestone 50th career winner for Atchamah.

Bred, owned and trained by Parsons, La Bella Nera has had 21 starts for six wins, five placings and $126,820 in stakes. She is a daughter of the Falkirk mare Arietta, who herself won eight races in the Parsons colours including the Listed Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).

Advertisement

“La Bella Nera deserved that win today and she did a good job to lead all the way like she did,” Parsons said. “I’m not sure where we’ll go with her next, but she’s racing well. She’s putting together a good record.”

On File and Ultimo cleared maiden ranks in promising style earlier on Friday’s card, and Funfetti put the cherry on the top of a big day with her tough performance in the Greg Jopson Property Brokers & Chatto Creek Tavern (1400m). The four-year-old Embellish mare was a last-start winner in Rating 65 company during the New Zealand Cup Carnival, and she stayed in the same grade on Friday with a 1.5kg increase in weight. Despite a tough wide run, she surged to the front in the straight and scored a convincing win in the hands of jockey Tina Comignaghi.

The Parsons team will attempt to continue their hot run on Sunday’s second day of the popular meeting, where they have eight horses entered.

El Ultimo, On File and Funfetti could back up from Friday’s heroics, while Tumuch brings a strong run of form into the KB Contractors Open (1400m). The Satono Aladdin gelding was a first-up winner at Riccarton on September 28, then ran top races to finish second and fourth on the two Saturdays of the New Zealand Cup Carnival.

“I don’t know yet whether any of today’s runners will back up, but hopefully we’ll have some nice chances again on Sunday either way,” Parsons said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Catalyst Performance Clare Memorial Cup Hcp (84) 1220m

Cromwell Track: Good(4) Time: 1:11.90
1
La Bella Nera
- 5m Sweynesse (AUS) x Arietta (NZ) (Falkirk (NZ))
Tnr: J & K Parsons Rdr: Y Atchamah 55.5
2
0.8
Amberecho
- 6m Echoes Of Heaven (AUS) x Sita (NZ) (Bertolini (USA))
Tnr: Ms S L Wynne Rdr: Ms K Williams 57.5
3
2.1
Inflamed
- 5m Ghibellines (AUS) x Ortem Fire (NZ) (Gallant Guru (AUS))
Tnr: B & S Anderton Rdr: Ruvanesh Muniandy 55
4
2.3
Go Lotte
- 6m Telperion (AUS) x Ashima (NZ) (Red Giant (USA))
Tnr: Kelvin Tyler Rdr: S D Khetoo 57
5
2.5
Tap 'n' Go
- 9g Ocean Park (NZ) x Stellafire (NZ) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: Ms N M White Rdr: A Comignaghi 56
6
8.3
Blue Vein
- 7g Shamexpress (NZ) x Skirmish (NZ) (Le Bec Fin (NZ))
Tnr: M E Cunneen Rdr: Denby-Rose Tait 54
7
9.6
Hasstobeyou
- 7m Darci Brahma (NZ) x Sinead (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: R C Dennis Rdr: A C Goindasamy 57.5
More Reading...
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.
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).
French Derby Contender for Godolphin
The Godolphin winning run continued in France overnight with a French Derby contender emerging in the shape of progressive Lope de Vega colt Cualificar, who is out of Fastnet Rock’s Group I Epsom Oaks winner Qualify.
$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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.