Showcasing 2YO Salutes

Media Release - Sunday September 23

Eligible for the Karaka Million, speedy filly Beauty Diva proved too quick for her juvenile rivals in the opening event at Pukekohe on Sunday.

Beauty Diva - Trish DunnellThe Clinton Isdale trained two-year-old had impressed when winning a 620m trial at Te Teko last month after blundering badly out of the barrier that day.

The Showcasing filly dwelt at the start again on Sunday, but soon powered along the inner to dispute the pace with the well fancied Maybeashowoff and race favourite Jager Bombed, who was forced to race three-wide throughout.

Beauty Diva hugged the rail to establish a break on her rivals early in the run home, which she clung to bravely, to hold out the fast finishing runner-up First Rock in a slick 44.61 seconds for the 800m dash.

"She was slow away in her trial but she finished off strong and was a bit slow away again today," Isdale said.

"There's plenty of upside to her as the things she does on the track at home are just unbelievable. We don't gallop her hard but she's always had plenty on good horses that we've got.

"I'm just glad to get that out of the way so we can put her away now and hopefully get her into the Karaka Million."

Isdale was quick to praise former Te Awamutu trainer Graeme Sanders who had provided him with some sage advice regarding his intentions with the filly. Ironically it is Sanders' daughter, Debbie Sweeney, who prepares runner-up, First Rock

Advertisement

"I've got to pay a big tribute to Graeme Sanders," he said.

"He told me to have her ready but to just wait. I was going to go to Wanganui with her but held off for this race as I knew it qualified her (for the Karaka Million).

"I just had those words ringing in the back of my head, to be patient with her, so I'd like to thank him for that piece of advice."

Beauty Diva is the grand-daughter of Gr.3 Centaine Stakes (2000m) winner Ketchikau who was the dam of useful South Island sprinter Ketchiben. She was an $11,000 purchase from the Book 3 session at the 2018 National Yearling Sale.

The $14,000 winning stake from Sunday's contest has her well placed to qualify for the Karaka Million (1200m) that will be run at Ellerslie on January 26. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
$1,100 Gavelhouse Purchase a Christmas winner
Jenna Mahoney’s $1,000 gavelhouse.com weanling buy Opalescence (NZ) (Showcasing) built on her promising debut second last month to go one better at Awapuni on Saturday.
Ozzmosis First Born is Feeling Frisky!
Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis was in demand at Newgate last spring covering 192 mares and his first born foal that arrived on July 31 at Alma Vale Thoroughbreds is the source of great pride for owners Ian and Cathy Mathieson.
Breeders Paradise - Inglis Digital August (early) Online
An abundance of high-quality broodmares – many in foal to some of the hottest young stallions in the Southern Hemisphere – and broodmare prospects headline a “breeders’ paradise’’ in the Inglis Digital August (Early) Online Sale.
Melbourne Cup on Radar for Sons and Lovers
Joseph O’Brien knows what it takes to win a Melbourne Cup and that was mentioned as a possible goal for progressive young stayer Sons and Lovers, who won the Group III Ballyroan Stakes (1m4f) at Leopardstown overnight.
Above the Clouds Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
It proved to be a long but fruitful day for Kelly Myers on Friday, with the now Central Districts-based hoop riding home Above The Clouds to win the $100,000 TAB Polytrack Championship (2000m) at Cambridge for local trainer Ralph Manning.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for last season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end this season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Showcasing to Continue Karaka Million Dominance
Taroni, an impressive 2YO winner at Ellerslie on Boxing Day in the colours of Cambridge Stud's Brendan and Jo Lindsay, joins Group two-winner PLAY THAT SONG, stakes performer Ohio Showgirl and Australian-based Disco Lights to give former Haunui Farm stallion Showcasing (GB) (Oasis Dream) four of the top twelve qualifiers as the countdown to the Karaka Million gets underway in earnest
Racing’s Night of Champions August 28
45 of the top horses in Australia will be recognised for outstanding performances during the 2024/2025 racing season at Racing’s Night of Champions.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 7
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Showcasing Colt was Ciaron's Pick Of The Sale
A strong resemblance to Group1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) winner Jameka led to the first $500,000 sale at Karaka on Sunday.