Celestial Sea too tough in Nevele R

The Robert and Jenna Dunn filly Celestial Sea (Always B Miki) can lay claim to being the most improved filly of her crop and she proved she’s a contender for more spoils before the season is out.

Given the perfect trip by driver John Dunn, the three year old filly proved too tough in today’s $200,000 Group One Nevele R Three Year Old Fillies Final at Addington.

“It worked out great. I followed Bob (Bob Butt and Duchess Of Kent) the whole way. He and I got out at the right time at the top of the straight. She balanced up and really hit the line good,” John said.

At the end of a fairly torrid 1980 metres Celestial Sea had a neck to spare over Arafura, with a nose back to Duchess Of Kent and three quarters of a length to Chicago Sky who ran fourth.

The winning time was 2-22.6 with the last 800 slogged out in 57.5 and the 400 in 29.3.

The win was John’s thirty third Group One win and the second time he’s won the three year old fillies feature. He won the race in 2014 driving Venus Serena.

Celestial Sea was bred by Roxburgh breeder Bill Bain and was sold at the 2023 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales for just $20,000.

“We bought her at the sales. I loved the look of her. She’s always shown high speed but she’s now got a great physique and a great heart. She’s a stayer and we always thought the Oaks was going to be the ideal race for her,” Robert said.

The result was a great one for SBSR breeders with minor placegetters Duchess Of Kent and Chicago Sky also bred in the south. The win adds to the great legacy of southern bred fillies who have won this race, dating back to 1984s winner Blue Water bred by Grant Sim. Other southern bred fillies to win the Nevele R have been Some Legacy, Robyns Treasure, Whanau, Western Dream and Amazing Dream.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink