Redwood Filly Wins G3 Sunline Vase

Media Release - Saturday February 29

Michael Walker made a successful return to race riding in New Zealand when he guided Communique to victory in the Group III McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie.

Communique (Blue & Gold cap outer) heads stablemate Karalino - image Trish DunnellFresh from winning the Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Tagaloa at Caulfield last weekend, Walker made a fleeting visit from Australia to take the mount on Sherwood Forest in the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Saturday.

Matamata trainer Stephen Autridge took the opportunity to engage Walker for Communique and was repaid handsomely as Walker produced a gem of a ride to guide her to her first black-type success.

The result also provided a special moment for Autridge as he produced the quinella for owner and breeder Kevin Hickman with Karalino chasing her stablemate home in the Group Three feature for the three-year-old fillies.

Touted as a promising staying prospect after a sound win over 1600m at the venue back in January, Communique had caught the eye when running on nicely behind Dragon Leap in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) a fortnight ago.

Patiently ridden in a muddling run race that burst into life when favourite Bergamot attacked three wide with 600m to run, Communique swept to the lead 100m from home and held out a spirited bid from Karalino by a long neck with Meghan a similar margin back in third.

Walker was taken by the performance of Communique who holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 14.

“It’s good to get a win for a good mate in Stephen Autridge as he is an amazing trainer,” Walker said.

“She jumped well and I thought for two seconds about going forward as there wasn’t much speed in the race.

“I ended up riding her quiet and although she got a bit keen leaving the straight, she really settled well down the back.

Advertisement

“I tracked up nicely and I always thought I was going to get there although she was running about.

“She has a lot to learn but I really like her as I think she is a classy filly.”

Autridge was thrilled with the win and delighted he could snare his first stakes winner for Valachi Downs Stud principal Kevin Hickman and his wife Jo.

“That’s unbelievable,” he said.

“I knew both horses were going well so it’s a great thrill to win the race as it’s my first Group winner for Kevin and Jo and the quinella makes it twice as good.

“I said to Michael I wasn’t going to tell him what to do but that he was on a real stayer. He was back and covered a little bit of extra ground but it was no trouble at all.

“The other filly (Karalino) got held up a bit but she had her chance as the winner was just too good.”

TAB bookmakers reacted swiftly to the result by tightening Communique into $12 from $31 for the Oaks and Karalino into $18 from $26 in the Fixed Odds market that is headed up by star filly Jennifer Eccles at $1.80. – NZ Racing Desk

Visit the profile page for Redwood

Redwood in upcoming sales:
Advertisment

Race Result - Sunline Vase Gr3 2100m

Ellerslie Track: Dead(4) Time: 2:12.33
1
Communique
- 3f Redwood (GB) x Al Bayan (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: S R Autridge Rdr: M J Walker 56.5
2
0.4
Karalino
- 3f Zacinto (GB) x Tawny Run (NZ) (Runyon (IRE))
Tnr: S R Autridge Rdr: C J Grylls 56.5
3
0.7
Meghan
- 3f So You Think (NZ) x Sussex Dancer (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: L G Innes 56.5
So You Think
4
1.2
Bergamot
- 3f Sweet Orange (USA) x Prime Time (AUS) (Gilded Time (USA))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: M Cameron 56.5
5
1.5
Seven Seas
- 3f Roc De Cambes (NZ) x Just Keepher (AUS) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: R J Myers 56.5
6
3.8
Pineapple Girl
- 3f Olympic Glory (IRE) x Miss Diagnosis (IRE) (Medicean (GB))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: M T Coleman 56.5
7
5.8
Kaipaki Road
- 3f El Roca (AUS) x Waguar (NZ) (Thewayyouare (USA))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: D S Johnson 56.5
8
7.8
Darcee Que
- 3f Darci Brahma (NZ) x Quintette (NZ) (Alamosa (NZ))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: R T Elliot 56.5
9
8.9
White Hibiscus
- 3f Animal Kingdom (USA) x Bianca (NZ) (Painted Black (JPN))
Tnr: M G Forbes Rdr: S T Collett 56.5
10
9.6
Octave
- 3f Darci Brahma (NZ) x Chant (NZ) (Traditionally (USA))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: S M Mc Kay 56.5
11
12.1
Amal Rose
- 3f Written Tycoon (AUS) x Brambling (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: V A Colgan 56.5
More Reading...
Magic Millions First Digital Sale - Opportunities Aplenty
Bidding is now open for the first Magic Millions Digital Sale with opportunities across all levels of the market for prospective buyers.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
Melbourne Cup Next for UK Raider Onesmoothoperator
Winner of the Group III Geelong Cup last year at his first Australian appearance, UK trained stayer Onesmoothoperator (USA) had not won a race since then but was back in the winning groove last night take out the $750,000 Group II MVRC Moonee Valley Cup (2500m).
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
The Rosehill trials on Friday morning featured a couple of juvenile heats and both winners came out of the Widden Stud draft at Magic Millions with one topping the sale at $2.8million and the other selling for a modest $150,000.
Good News Week for Geisel Park
Geisel Park’s black-type mare Laced Up Heels is in foal off a maiden cover to Champion Australian Sire Zoustar and an orphan foal has found a new mum.
Sires With Winners - Friday October 24
Here is the full list of 60 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Coolmore Favs get the Flemington Straight Experience in Jump Outs
Beiwacht, Beadman and Skyhook, three of the top four in the market for next month’s Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes had a jump out down the Flemington straight on Friday with Beadman quite the eye-catcher.
NZB Breeze Up Footage Now Available to View Online
The highly anticipated Breeze Up videos for NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale are now available to view online at nzb.co.nz.