Shamus Award Mare Chasing Another G1

Media Release - Monday October 6

Adverse weather has forced multiple Group One winner Quintessa to take an unorthodox route to next Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), with the mare appearing at the Awapuni trials on Monday afternoon.

Prepared by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson at Matamata, Quintessa got her preparation off to a flying start winning the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m), but she was scratched from the second leg of the triple crown (Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile, 1600m) at Te Rapa, avoiding the heavy surface.

Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) victor Quintessa.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

With a task of getting her to the Livamol three weeks later, Bergerson nominated the mare for the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), but withdrew before acceptances, opting to head across to Awapuni for a hit-out over 1300m.

In the hands of stable rider Opie Bosson, Quintessa settled at the tail of the field through the running, while stablemate Midnight Blue strode to the top for Samantha Collett. Bosson asked her for an effort turning for home and she responded well, striding up to finish second behind Sailor Jack.

Bergerson was pleased with what he saw from the daughter of Shamus Award, who didn’t trial in her usual blinkers.

“It’s been a pretty tough time of it with the weather lately, so it was a good opportunity to get on a reasonable surface,” Bergerson said.

“Opie was really happy with her trial, she’s pretty lazy without the blinkers on but we wanted to keep them up our sleeve for raceday. I was pleased with how she hit the line and she went past the post a bit as well, so that should bring her on nicely.

“The trip away will do her the world of good, it’s a fine line getting her fit but keeping the speed in her legs and soundness as well, she takes a bit of managing.

“Hopefully that will catch us up a bit fitness-wise, I’m looking forward to Saturday-week with her.”

Advertisement

In an ideal world, Bergerson would like to give her another gallop on better ground before heading to Ellerslie but recognises that may not be a reality.

“I’d be happy if the weather picked up and I could get some nice work into her on good tracks at home, but unfortunately it’s just that time of year and it’s tough for everyone,” he said.

“She’ll have another nice hit-out next week.”

It was similar circumstances for Midnight Blue, who was set to resume in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) but will look elsewhere to kick off his campaign.

“He was meant to be in the Matamata Cup on Saturday, but with the rain, we wanted him to have a nice hit-out on a decent surface as well,” Bergerson said.

“A trip away is good for the old boy to get him thinking and that’ll bring him on a bit too.

“It would’ve been nice to kick him off on his home track, but he can potentially kick off at Ellerslie in a few weeks’ time in an Open race, then there are some nice races over Christmas if he comes up well.”

A nine-year-old by So You Think, Midnight Blue joined the Te Akau Racing stable in late 2023 and placed in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and Taupo Cup (2000m) last term. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Visit the profile page for Shamus Award

Shamus Award in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 25
Here is the full list of 136 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
A Century of NZB National Yearling Sales Success: Cox Plate
Moonee Valley’s A$6m Group One WS Cox Plate (2040m) is known as the weight-for-age championship of Australasia and has been won by many of Australia and New Zealand’s greatest thoroughbreds.
Second Wootton Bassett Son Added to Coolmore Stallion Roster for 2026
Set to join Camille Pissarro as the second G1 winning son of Wootton Bassett on the stallion roster for Ireland in 2026 is Henri Matisse, who this time last year was about to claim his first G1 victory at the Breeders Cup meeting at Del Mar.
Hi Yo Sass Bomb Wins G3 on Sunday
Kim Reid bypassed a Group One in favour of Sunday’s Gr.3 Gee and Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham with Hi Yo Sass Bomb, a decision that paid dividends when the mare led from the outset to claim her third stakes success.
Doubtland 2YO All On Red Smashes Them Again at Ascot
Widden Stud's Doubtland has a potential 2YO topliner in Perth in the shape of exciting WA colt All On Red, who remains undefeated from two starts after another comprehensive Ascot Saturday win.
Sires With Winners - Sunday October 26
Here is the full list of 74 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Yes Yes Yes 3YO Shooting for G2 on Monday
Last year’s Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) set Savaglee up for Group One glory in Christchurch, and Matamata trainer Pam Gerard is hoping to follow a similar blueprint in 2025 with her Yes Yes Yes 3YO Affirmative Action..
Undefeated 3YO King of Light Wins Listed Belgravia
Dan Morton's exciting three year old King Of Light (Earthlight) remains unbeaten in three starts, as the gelding graduated to stakes company with a scintillating first up victory in the Listed Belgravia Stakes on Cox Plate Day at Ascot.
Cream Rises at Trentham
A half-sister by Hello Youmzain (Fr) to dual Group I winner Mustang Valley, exciting filly Cream Tart is set to line up in one of the major three-year-old races over New Zealand Cup Week following her impressive win in Sunday’s Upper Hutt Car Sales LTD Three-Year-Old (1400m) at Trentham.
From FNQ To Sha Tin - Aussie Bred Sprinter Wins G2 Premier Bowl
Some horses arrive in Hong Kong with a very different back story - Fresh from winning the $20million The Everest with Ka Ying Rising, David Hayes was back in the winner’s list at Sha Tin on Sunday when Tomodachi Kokoroe won the Group II Premier Bowl (1200m).