Clearing maidens – Celebrated mares produce some strong maiden winners

In our weekly Clearing Maidens article we look through those breaking through for their first victories.

It could be a long-time maiden who has finally mastered race rivals or a progressive star of the track in the future – they all got one thing in common now – they’re race winners!

Addington 1^st May

Eyes To Heaven (Sportswriter – Nga Mihi Mui) Eyes towards the winning post by the look of this maiden victory! Utilizing sound manners, Eyers To Heaven, aided by John Dunn, sat in the trail for much of the 2000m trip, pouncing on race leader Tasi Ahnau late to secure the maiden victory at start #17 – the win the only placing achieved by the Borcoskie trained runner to date. The victory also means that dam Nga Mihi Nui (Big Jim) is now a winning broodmare with Eyes To Heaven being her first foal. The damline is notable for the presence of Assisi (Vance Hanover), the mother to Scorching and Roman Gladiator.

Dean James (Gold Ace – Alegria) A change in trainer and a change in fortunes for Dean James. Having his first start for the House stables, Dean James set the pace in the 7^th of the day, a position he’d never give away despite the late efforts of Ambleside Drive and Lady Vincent. Dean James had previously placed under the guidance of Leo O’Reilly. Dam Alegria has been a great broodmare, leaving winners like siblings Alexis and Alexy, both by Courage Under Fire, in recent times – James Dean (Santanna Blue Chip), winner of 17 races, has carried on the winning habit for the dam.

Dean James impresses out of the House stables.  

Addington 3^rd May

Jukebox Gypsy (Rock N Roll Heaven – Gypsy’s Choice) Making the most of a favourable draw, Jukebox Gypsy scored from the trail in the 2^nd of the night at Addington – the win coming at race start #4 after a brace of fast-finishing 4ths in her first three starts. The win also meaning that dam Gypsy’s Choice is now a winning broodmare with the O’Reilly runner being the first foal out of the mare.

Alexandra Park 3^rd May

Meant To Be (Father Patrick – Luby Lou) It was a case of it meant to be for connection of this son of Father Patrick on Friday night, the Zachary Butcher driven 2yr-old proving too strong for race rivals in the 3^rd of the night. The effort was a sound one too, a late bid from the 1/1 enough to overcome the stablemate Higher Power in the run home.  Meant To Be is out of Luby Lou (Muscle Hill), winner of the Gr1 New Zealand trotting Derby of 2018 when victorious over Winterfell and Majestic Man.

Meant To Be is out of a Gr1 winning mare in Luby Lou. 

Dontletfearstopya (Fear The Dragon – Gracy Lady) Needing to be good when stuck off the speed with some 600m to do, Dontletfearstopya didn’t let the challenge of making up ground stop him, producing a strong final furlong out wide on the Alexandra Park track to score well in 2.48.7 over the 2200m mobile event. The victory, which was on debut, signaling that this son of Fear The Dragon is certainly one to follow in times to come. The associated damline is a strong one, Grandam Spring Thaw is best known as the mother of both Talaspring  (Badlands Hanover) and Kabet (Bettor’s Delight) while the mother of Ermis and Iraklis, Tuapeka Star, is also closely related.

Winton 4^th May

Matau Maria (He’s Watching – Matau Hanover) Scoring at race start #7, Matau Maria proved too strong for race rivals in the 1^st of the day out of Winton on Saturday – a 1.58.1 mile just enough to see off race favourite It’s A Pleasure by the shortest of margins. Matua Maria was coming off a brace of 3rds in her last two starts. The win gives dam Matau Hanover her first winner on NZ soil with another foal, Matau Jess (Betterthancheddar) adding additional winning efforts on Australian soil.

Mataura BB (A Rocknroll Dance – Trendy’s Rocket) A strong win by the son of A Rocknroll Dance. Blair Orange drove a dynamic enough race to score too, electing to lead and then come out into the 1/1 position late when past by a number of new leaders down the back straight. Mataura BB had placed on 6 previous occasions with an Invercargill 2^nd two starts back hinting at this winning turn. Dam Trendy’s Rocket managed a solitary win from 35 race day starts but has proven a reliable producer in the broodmare paddock – her progeny including the likes of the 9-time winner in Santanna’s Rocket (Santanna Blue Chip) and the now 19-time winner in Cheddar Made Beta (Betterthancheddar)

Mataura BB scores well at Winton.  

Asta (Bettor’s Delight – Allura) A maiden winner with plenty of breeding behind him. Blair Orange and Tony Stratford combined once again to see this winner over the line in the 5^th of the day at Winton. The winning time 1.59.7 over the mile distance. Asta continues a strong story of success for this damline with Allura leaving the winning siblings in Aloka (4 wins) and Ajira (4 wins) , both being by the sire Bettor’s Delight. Grandam Nevermore won 7 and was the holder of a number of NZ records.

RANGIORA 5^th May

Braveheart Highlander (What The Hill – Bonnie Highlander) Bringing the manners and bringing up the maiden victory at start #5, Braveheart Highlander accounted for race rivals with a strong performance in the 1^st of the day at Rangiora, the maiden win coming after mixed form and behaviour in recent starts.  The win means that the dam, the 7-time winner Bonnie Highlander is now a winning broodmare, Braveheart Highlander being her only foal so far.

Chicago Bear (Bettor’s Delight – Chicago Blues) Arguably the best bred maiden winner of the week. Chicago Bear took the second of the day at Rangiora by a comfortable 2 1/2 length margin when driven by Carter Dalgety. The Dalgety trained runner beating out Kairaki Delight and Wishful Thinking. Dam Chicago Blues left the amazing performer Chicago Bull (Bettor’s Delight) as her first foal, the star of the track going onto win titles like the WA and Freemantle Cups, the WA Pacing Derby, and the Mcinerney Ford 4YO Classic. The 15-time winner Perfect Stride is a full brother.

Chicago Bear continues the success of one of the best families in the sales catalogue

A Fine Patrick (Father Patrick – Harriet Of Mot) Another royally bred maiden winner at Rangiora! The Craig & Aimee Edmonds runner proved too strong for race rivals, showing a great turn-of-foot over the last furlong to score in the 3^rd of the day. The victory following on from some eye-catching trial form in recent weeks. A Fine Patrick has some fine breeding behind him, dam Harriet Of Mot won 15 in a career spanning some 50+ races and set numerous NZ records in doing so. A Fine Patrick being her first foal – and it looks to be a handy first foal to have winning races.

A Fine Patrick shows plenty of the family speed to win at Rangiora.

Clonakilty (Downbytheseaside – In Hollywood) Another debut winner that looks set for a nice career out on the track. The White trained runner looked a professional in scoring in the 4^th of the day at Rangiora. A 3-wide cart into things late meant Clonkilty was able to wound up late, showing good speed to champion Auntie Deb and Farewell Spit in the run home. Clonakilty is out of the good producer in In Hollywood, a mare that’s left the 4-time winner in Walk Of Fame and the USA performer in Hemsworth (Sweet Lou)

By Harnesslink Media