Oaks Goal for War Decree Filly

Media Release - Tuesday December 31

Ben and Ryan Foote will head to Ellerslie on New Year’s Day with a pair of in-form black-type chances whose longer-term feature race prospects are equally as strong.

The father and son combination will be represented by Myakkabelle in the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) and Vega For Luck in the Gr.2 Skycity Eclipse Stakes (1200m).

Myakkabelle will contest the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

War Decree Filly Myakkabelle is a two-time winner who finished a sound third against older opposition two runs back and was luckless when fifth in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

She missed the jump and settled three back on the fence before diving between runners in the straight to be strong to the finish.

“She was very, very good the other day and the step up to 2000m will really suit her down to the ground,” Ryan Foote said.

“The wide draw (11) isn’t ideal, but she seems to have bounced out of that run on Boxing Day very well.”

Foote said it wasn’t always the plan to back up Myakkabelle so soon, but her recovery rate had been excellent.

“She came through the race so well and didn’t get a lot of luck in running so we thought we’d put the nomination in and have a look,” he said.

Thursday’s outing will be another step for Myakkabelle toward her autumn goal of the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham.

“The Oaks is the main one and we’ll pick the right path to it and do the right thing by the filly,” Foote said.

Advertisement

Myakkabelle is a daughter of the imported Lawman mare Myakka Park who is a half-sister to two European stakes winners.

The pedigree has also made its mark here with the Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m) and the Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) winner Bella Waters whose half-brother Immediacy was successful in last season’s Gr.2 Autumn Classic (1800m).

Myakkabelle was purchased for $55,000 out of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft of Inglewood Stud, who also bred and sold Vega For Luck for $60,000 at Karaka.

The Lucky Vega colt is guaranteed a start in next month’s $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) following the encouraging start he’s made to his career.

His debut victory at Tauranga has been followed up with third placings at Ellerslie and Pukekohe, most recently in the Listed Challenge Stakes (1100m).

“He hasn’t put a foot wrong since his last run, he’s got a good gate (one) so he should be able to stick to the rail and give them something to chase,” Foote said.

“It’s a chance to give him more experience at Ellerslie and to decide if we do put a set of blinkers on to spark him up for the Karaka Millions.

“He won’t have them on Boxing Day, but we’ve still got them up our sleeve.”

Vega For Luck is the first foal of the winning Darci Brahma mare Badea, a half-sister to the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) winner Lilikoi. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Aussie Bred Trifecta in G3 Sha Tin Vase
Toronado (IRE) gelding Helios Express led home a tricta for Aussie bred sprinters in the Group III Sha Tin Vase (1200m) on Saturday defeating Invincible Sage (Thronum) and Patch of Theta (Zoustar).
Magic Justify x Fastnet Rock Cross Strikes in Hong Kong
With Justify’s very best son City of Troy (USA) shuttling to Coolmore Australia this spring it’s worth remembering the power of the Justify x Fastnet Rock nick and we saw it to the fore at Sha Tin on Saturday when Australian bred four year-old Pray for Mir took out the Group III The Lion Rock Trophy (1600m).
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 1
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
The Secret is Out!
He has big shoes to fill as a half-brother to a $12million earner, but there is no secret about his ability! 
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 31
Here is the full list of 116 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Lightly Raced Stayer Wins Sandown Cup
The $175,000 Listed MRC Sandown Cup (3200m) on Sunday featured some battle hardened  old stayers, but it was the young kind on the block that got the prize with four year-old Tavistock gelding Diwali scoring his first stakes win.
Research on Equliume Light Mask
Don’t take our word for granted ….. Research on the Equilume Light mask for the pregnant mare and foal
New Classic Prospect and New Aussie 2YO Winner for Wootton Bassett
The Group III JRA Derby Trial (2000m) at Baden Baden in Germany overnight produced a new stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett (GB) with lightly raced colt Juwelier staking a claim for classic success.
Cool Aza Beel Strikes Again
Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday.
Familiar Faces Win $100,000 Jumps Features at Sandown
Jumps racing took centre stage at Sandown on Sunday with some familiar colours and faces winning both the $100,000 Australian Steeplechase (3900m) and the $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3900m).