Maiden Wins G2 Eight Carat

Media Release - Thursday December 26

The tag of New Zealand’s best maiden was emphatically stripped from the shoulders of exciting three-year-old Jennifer Eccles when she stormed past her female age group rivals to take out the Group II  SKYCITY Eight Carat Classic (1600m) in the hands of visiting rider James McDonald.

Although she had yet to salute the judge in six previous starts, a cursory glance at the Rip Van Winkle filly’s record quickly makes a mockery of that Jennifer Eccles - image Trish Dunnellmaiden status given she was relegated to second at Hawke’s Bay at her first start this season before finishing in the first four in her next three starts at stakes level, including a runner-up finish behind Loire in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).

Punters needed no convincing of her class as they installed her as the $1.90 favourite for the fillies feature and she didn’t disappoint courtesy of a James McDonald special.

McDonald was content to settle beyond midfield as Showoroses set up a hot speed in front and was a conservative six lengths off the pace at the halfway point.

Eased to the outside, Jennifer Eccles and McDonald bided their time until well into the home straight where the Shaune Ritchie-trained filly was asked to go. The response was instantaneous as she dashed to the front and put the result beyond doubt as she held out a late charge from Two Illicit with Showoroses battling on gamely for third.

Ritchie was quick to sing McDonald’s praises after the contest.

“That’s why he is a champion jockey and one of the world’s best,” Ritchie said.

“She’s a sweetheart of a filly with a great nature and obviously we will have to make a challenge on the filly’s series (New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year).

“We will probably go to the Desert Gold Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m) and then to the Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m).

Advertisement

“There’s a little question on getting further but she’s got such a good turn of foot and she’s so laidback, that will help her.”

McDonald was impressed by the effort of Jennifer Eccles, his second win on the day’s programme after piloting the unbeaten Only In Jakarta to victory in race five.

“She’s a really nice filly who was a little bit keen early,” he said.

“I was able to pop off (the fence) three-wide and she just cruised into it. She’s got a devastating turn of foot and it was a really good win.

“Up to a mile and a quarter she has a blistering turn of speed and that will get her out of a lot of trouble.

“She will be competitive all the way through as she gave me an excellent feel.”

Raced by the Challenge No. 10 Syndicate, Jennifer Eccles was purchased by syndicate manager Adrian Clark for just $5,000 from the Westend Partnership draft at the 2017 National Weanling Sale. She is the 30th stakes-winner worldwide for Rip Van Winkle. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Skycity Eight Carat Classic Gr2 1600m

Ellerslie Track: Good(3) Time: 1:35.28
1
Jennifer Eccles
- 3f Rip Van Winkle (IRE) x Platinum Elle (NZ) (Elnadim (USA))
Tnr: S F Ritchie Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56.5
2
1.0
Two Illicit
- 3f Jimmy Choux (NZ) x Gemini (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: V A Colgan 56.5
3
1.2
Showoroses
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Rodrigo Rose (NZ) (Rodrigo De Triano (USA))
Tnr: Ms J Surgenor Rdr: A J Calder 56.5
4
2.7
Manchu
- 3f Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Empress Cixi (GB) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: S M Mc Kay 56.5
5
2.9
Coco Baci
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Princess Kyoto (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: C J Grylls 56.5
6
3.0
Familia
- 3f Makfi (GB) x Enjay (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: L G Innes 56.5
7
4.8
Kaipaki Road
- 3f El Roca (AUS) x Waguar (NZ) (Thewayyouare (USA))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: D S Johnson 56.5
8
5.4
Showbeel
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Showileo (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: M T Coleman 56.5
9
6.0
Diamonds Galore
- 3f Tavistock (NZ) x Too Many Diamonds (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: M Cameron 56.5
10
9.3
Aalaalune
- 3f Reliable Man (GB) x Veva Girl (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: R T Elliot 56.5
11
13.0
Tears Of Jupiter
- 3f Zoustar (AUS) x Snow Blitz (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: P & D Williams Rdr: T N Harris 56.5
More Reading...
Per Incanto Mare Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
Synthetic flyer Cosentino silenced any doubt about running out the seven furlongs with a blistering performance to claim Sunday’s $100,000 Japac Homes Polytrack Championship (1400m) at Awapuni.
Subpoenaed Too Strong in the Millie Fox Stakes
Making her first start since disappointing in the Golden Eagle last October, the Chris Waller-trained Subpoenaed bounced back to form in Saturday’s $200,000 Group II Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.
Karaka Graduate Green Energy Finds Top Form
The Danny Shum-trained Green Energy, a New Zealand-bred son of Rip Van Winkle, returned from an eight-month injury absence to win Monday’s public holiday feature at Sha Tin, the Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap (1200m).
The Novelist Returns to Form
The very first stakes-winner for his sire Written By when winning the Group III BRC BJ McLachlan Stakes in December 2022, The Novelist made light of the heavy 10 track at Rosehill on Saturday to claim another victory.
Australian G1 Goal for Te Akau Shark
The Group I Cox Plate (2040m) has been a long held ambition for connections of dual Group winner Te Akau Shark, but the Jamie Richards-trained runner is being set for another Group One target before he heads to Melbourne.
Highland Blaze Wins $250,000 Grand National Hurdle
Jumps racing was the highlight at Sandown Lakeside on Sunday with the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) the highlight and the $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) offering a great start to the day.
Inglis Digital Bargain Buys Deliver Kosciuszko Dreamers
Sunshine Law was not the only Inglis Digital success story to come out of the Rosehill meeting on Saturday with two contenders for this year’s $2million Kosciuszko also giving connections cause to dream big and one of them is an unbeaten mare with a Black Type pedigree.
Victorian Breeders Celebrate Annual Awards Night
The 2025 Victorian Breeding Awards has once again showcased the outstanding achievements within Victoria’s thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.
New SW for Rip Van Winkle
On a day where she tasted Group One success with Gaultier in the Levin Classic (1600m) in 2017, Matamata trainer Danica Guy was at it again when she produced Germanicus to take out Group III  Bluestar Anniversary Handicap (1600m).
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 2
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.