Xpression Favourite for Guineas

Media Release - Saturday October 20

North Island raider Xpression underlined why she is the favourite to take out next month's Group I Gavelhouse New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) when she handed out a beating to her age group rivals at Ashburton on Saturday.

Xpression - Race ImagesThe stylish Showcasing filly was heavily favoured to take out the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) and gave her supporters little cause for concern throughout the contest.

Regular rider Sam Collett had a virtual stranglehold on her charge as she looped the field on the point of the turn to issue her challenge before dashing clear to defeat Our Flying Ace with Fire Show battling on gamely for third.

Co-trainer Grant Cullen, who prepares the filly with Guy Lowry from their Hastings base, was satisfied with the win as he looked ahead to a greater challenge at Riccarton next month.

"It was a nice ride as she got a nice track into the race," he said.

"The only concern was travelling so far from home but she's thrived since she has been here so it was fantastic to see her come through today.

Advertisement

"She will be based here now and won't race again between now and the Guineas.

"We have no real set plans but might look at a jump-out if she thrives but failing that it will be straight into the Guineas."

TAB bookmakers reacted quickly to the win, with Xpression now at a $2.80 quote to win the fillies feature at Riccarton on November 17 from Melt at $4 while today's impressive Rotorua winner Media Sensation has shortened to $8 in the Fixed Odds market.

Runner-up Our Flying Ace has also tightened in the market for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) on November 10 with his $6 quote placing him on the second line of betting behind race favourite Madison County at $2.80. – 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.
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. 
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'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).
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
Cambridge Stud to Sell Entire Draft at Karaka 2026
Leading thoroughbred nursery Cambridge Stud have committed their full support for NZB’s 2026 National Yearling Sales Series, with the announcement they will be selling 100% of their yearling stock at Karaka. 
Promising 2YOs for Pike
Tony Pike found it difficult to split his juvenile charges the last time they took each other on and it’s the same story at Ruakaka.
Day One a Breeze for Quality 2YO's
Day One of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw 188 two-year-olds charge down the final straight of Te Rapa Racecourse.
$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.
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.