First SW for Azamour Mare

Media Release - Saturday October 12

Matamata mare Polly Grey scored her biggest career victory when she stormed to a convincing victory in Saturday's Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m).

Polly Grey - Trish Dunnell imageThe flashy grey five-year-old has proved a revelation over the past six months as she has put together six wins from 10 starts in a campaign that started with her maiden victory over 1230m at Rotorua back in April.

Saturday's success was her first at black-type level and she did it in fine style after racing wide towards the rear of the field before making a swooping run around the field at the 600m.

Rider Sam Weatherley had her trucking nicely as she joined the leaders shortly after heading for home and from there it was a one act affair as she scampered clear to win by a widening three-length margin from another Matamata local in Paisley Park.

Trainer Kylie Fawcett was holding back the tears as she waited for her stable star to make her way back to the winner's enclosure.

"I'm just thrilled as she's just so special to us," she said.

"It was a very good ride and I'm just blown away with how well she has won.

"I think she's top class and I'm really looking forward to the autumn with her.

"We'll see if there is anything else later this month but I think I'll give her November out and then aim high and come back for the three mare's races in the autumn."

Advertisement

Fawcett was referring to the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham in March, the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha in April and the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa later that month.

Weatherley, who was having his first ride on the Azamour mare, was suitably impressed by how she buckled down in the final stages of the contest.

"She really surprised me the way she let down, as watching her videos, it looked like she was waiting for them at times and just doing enough," he said.

"Today she really impressed me with the light weight on her back as she loved the soft conditions.

"It's great to win our hometown cup and pretty special as it's one of the biggest we have here during the season."

Polly Grey is the first foal of useful racemare Allanah and hails from the family of Gr.1 Easter Handicap (1600m) winner Pasta Post and Gr.3 Hawke's Bay Cup (2200m) winner Don Domingo. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Grafton Cup Winner Underlines the Tragedy of One Season Shuttler Azamour
The Kiwi’s love nothing more than to winter in Queensland and they are finding it profitable to extend the stay and make the trip south across the border for the Grafton Cup Carnival.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
Career High for Best Of Days
Godolphin will be sad to see 2018 come to end.
Oaks Contender for OTI
Group One performer Aloisia will be set for a potentially lucrative spring campaign after impressing OTI Racing Director Terry Henderson in her trial at Sandown on Thursday.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.