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...
$190,000 Per Incanto Colt Heads Vibrant Weanling Sale
The  2025 National Weanling Sale saw its first dual-code weanling session in play at Karaka, with a total aggregate of $2,410,000 outlaid across 84 lots by a strong domestic buying bench plus international support from Australia, Hong Kong and China.
Showcasing's Play That Song Stays Perfect in Eclipse Stakes
Exciting juvenile Play That Song (NZ) (Showcasing) maintained her unbeaten record when she downed hot favourite Not An Option (Not An Option) to win the first of the feature races at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, the Gr.2 Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes (1200m).
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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
National Online Breeding Stock Sale online now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Trial action was at Randwick on Friday and there were six heats for juveniles that included some interesting unraced youngsters highlighted by the full brother to a promising young sire, a well bred son of Farnan and an Extreme Choice filly.
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.
Red Right Out Wins MM Queensland Qualifier
The 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping will feature the third annual Queensland Off-The-Track Cup (QOTT) final on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast. 
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 Tatts Tiara
With Royal Ascot done and dusted for another year, let's turn our attention to the final G1 of the Australian racing season as some very expensive mares seek to land that elusive G1 and three runners will carry the Yulong colours!
$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.