China Star Wins G3 Manawatu Breeders Stakes

Media Release - Friday April 6

Lisa Latta wasn't surprised by a career-best performance from longshot China Star on her home track on Friday.

China Star - Race ImagesShe said the daughter of Chinese Dragon invariably found her best form in the autumn and that she did at Awapuni with victory in the Gr.3 LJ Hooker Manawatu Breeders' Stakes (2000m).

"She always seems to come right at this time of the year and we gave her a trial 10 days ago at Foxton that cleaned her up nicely."

China Star's performance has now earned the seven-year-old, who is part-owned by New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association president John Fokerd, a third crack at a northern fillies' and mares' weight-for-age feature.

"She'll go to the Travis Stakes after this, she was fourth in it last year," Latta said.

China Star, who also finished fifth in the Te Rapa contest in 2016, was given a cosy run in the trail on Friday by Robert Hannam, who has now ridden the seven-year-old in five of her six career successes.

Advertisement

"It was a strong win and Robbie summed things up perfectly," Latta said. "He said there would be good speed in the race and, even though she likes to lead, he was happy to take the trial with her."

China Star was off the fence before the turn to hit the front at the top of the straight and she held on tenaciously in the run to the post to beat All In Vogue and Royal Ruby.

"It was nice to give Robbie his first Group winner since coming back," Latta said.

She has enjoyed a long association with Hannam, who recently returned from injury after breaking a leg in a barrier incident last September which cut short his second riding stint in India, with more than a century of wins together. – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Sunday July 27
Here is the full list of 54 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Savabeel Stakes-Winner in the Making
A patient approach with Force Of Nature is being rewarded in spades, with the son of Savabeel winning his way toward black-type assignments.
Another G1 Triumph for Aga Khan Stud Bred Gelding
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who made it back to back G1 wins overnight when beating a select field in a tactical battle to win the Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) at Ascot.
Stallion Shares in Cool Aza Beel Offer Rare Opportunity via Magic Millions Virtual Sale
Breeders will have a timely chance to invest in one of Australia’s most exciting young stallions next week, with two individual stallion shares in Cool Aza Beel to be offered via the Magic Millions Virtual Sale on Tuesday, August 5.
Sires With Winners - Monday July 28
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Consecutive Wins For Lucky Vega’s I’m Lucky Two
Off the back of an impressive two length victory over 1000m at Toowoomba at the end of June, the month between runs didn’t pose any issues as the Michael Nolan trained Lucky Vega (IRE) gelding I’m Lucky Two stepped out over 870m to win once again.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
This will be the last Juvenile Trial Watch story for this season with all these youngsters to turn three on Friday and there was plenty of action with eight heats won by 2YOs and two more of this season’s G3 2YO’s North England and Memo stepping out against the older G1 stars.
Carrazzo Melbourne 'Sport of Kings' Tax Talk
It gives Baumgartners great pleasure to announce that the Paul Carrazzo’s “Sport of Kings” horse tax talk returns to Inglis Melbourne on Wednesday 13 August.
Zousain Sunday 2YO Double
Zousain is surging to the end of the season with a double of new 2YO winners on Sunday bringing his seasonal tally of juvenile winners to 13.
Steve Davis Awarded NZTBA Personality of the Year
Bloodstock auctioneer and media personality Steve Davis has been honoured as the 2025 NZTBA Personality of the Year, in recognition of a lifetime of contribution to the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry.