First Stakes Win for Naantali

Media Release - Sunday April 7

$180,000 Premier Sale purchase Naantali (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) picked up her first stakes win in Saturday's A$140,000 Listed Ladbrokes Anniversary Vase (1400m) at Caulfield, leading home a Karaka quinella with Manolo Blahniq(NZ) (Jimmy Choux) second.

Naantali - image Grant CourtneyThe four-year-old had been a consistent black-type performer in this campaign, finishing second in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m), second in the Group 3 Schweppervescence Trophy (1600m) and a close last-start fourth in the Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m).

On Saturday she showed her class, bursting to the lead in the straight with a spectacular turn of foot. Ridden by Nikita Beriman, she raced clear and scored by a length and three-quarters.

"She's ever so consistent, the writing was on the wall," Beriman said. "She travelled beautifully underneath me coming into the straight.

"She got a little bit lost when she hit the front, so I rolled over to the fence. It was a very good win and all credit to this mare."

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Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace for owners Greenwich Stud, Naantali has now had 18 starts for six wins, six placings and $456,400 – more than double what she cost at Karaka.

Naantali was bred by Mrs C A and C C Chamberlain, Mrs H M and M J Moran. She was offered by Windsor Park Stud at the 2016 Premier Sale.

Runner-up Manolo Blahniq was bought for $115,000 at the 2015 Select Sale. A stakes winner on both sides of the Tasman, he has had 27 starts for four wins, eight placings and A$416,534 – almost four times his purchase price.

Vendor Windsor Park Stud
Purchaser Ciaron Maher Racing (Victoria)
Breeding Rip Van Winkle – Zaloot
Sale Lot 142, 2016 Premier Sale, $180,000
Bred by Mrs C A & C C Chamberlain, Mrs H M & M J Moran

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