Clearing Maidens – The ‘Motu’ breed enjoying a strong run of form

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’ve all got one thing in common now – they’re race winners!

Manuwatu 10th December

Narobi (Bettor’s Delight – Its All On) It took 16 starts but this daughter of Bettor’s Delight is now a race winner. Narobi had been threatening to win a race for some time, accumulating a consistent formline that included 7 minor placings in 15 starts for the Doody stable.

On Tuesday a confident Blair Orange waited patiently at the rear of the small field, letting the speed of Narobi be the deciding factor over the last furlong. The 2-length winning margin more than comfortable at the line.

Dam Its All On won twice in limited starts and has since proven herself a more than capable mother, leaving the 11-time winner Better Get It On (Bettor’s Delight) as her first foal and Mr Fantastic, a 14-time winner as her second.

Narobi proves too slick at Manuwatu

Oamaru 11th December 

Niamh (Royal Aspirations – Jacinta Franco) Those by Royal Aspirations continue their love affair with the grass. Niamh, trained by Mark Jones, impressed at her first race day start on Wednesday, leading for much of the race to snare a debut victory from Monaro Meg and Sharma Trouble. Niamh comes from a strong breed with grandam Jacanti Franco leaving the likes of Franco Josiah (7 wins) and Franco Jorik (2 wins)

Niamh holds on to win on debut at Oamaru.

Jay R Tolkien (Locharburn – Cheyenne Princess) Another to prosper from the front of the race at Oamaru, Jay R Tolkien took advantage of a pedestrian tempo while leading, unleashing a smart 26.9 last 400m to easily take the 2nd of the day. The son of Locharburn had mixed his form recently with a 3rd placing in behind A Bettor Jackalack on the 1st of December followed by a fading 8th at Wingatui only three days ago.

Jay R Tolkien is the 2nd winner out of Cheyenne Princess after Bender (Sunshine Beach)

Ari On Safari (Always B MIki – Jive Denario) The support had been ever present for this O’Reilly trained runner and, with that same support backing him on Wednesday he delivered in the 3rd on the card as the race favourite. The overall margin of victory of over 5 lengths emphatic as the 3yr-old managed to take the 2000m standing start event in 2.39.4 from behind the tapes. Dam Jive Denario was unraced and has now beomce a wining broodmare, Ari On Safari being her first foal.

Manuwatu 12th December

Chemical Dreams (Creatine – Wistful Dreams) The Andrew and Lyn Neal stable celebrated another maiden win on Thursday when this son of Creatine greeted the judge at start #7. After running 3rd on Tuesday Lyn Neal and Chemical Dreams found enough to snare the victory over Mr Monty and Scoots.

Chemical Dreams is the first foal out of the Angus Hall mare Wistful Dreams.

Million Dollar Chic (Bettor’s Delight – Bagdarin) The wait for a win from Million Dollar Chic is now over with this beautifully bred filly scoring in the 3rd at Manuwatu on Thursday. The 3yr-old, who counts the superstar mare Shartin among her siblings, proved just a little too tough for race rivals in the slog to the line over the concluding stages of the 2000m mobile event.

The win, at start #23 adds to the 8 additional minor places achieved in the previous 22 starts.

Million Dollar Chic gets home to extend a great run for the family

Winton 12th December

Majestic Me (Majestic Son – Ella Abbe) Another Williamson trained runner that looks the goods going forward. The juvenile by Majestic Son, trained out of the Brad Williamson barn, impressed on debut, never really putting a hoof in the wrong place despite being at the track on race day for the first time. Hustled into the trail for much of the race the 2yr-old strode through confidently in the run to the line to win well over Sonny Jim.

Majestic Me is the first live foal out of the race-winning mare in Ella Abbe (Sundon)

California Dreaming (Somebeachsomewhere – Lily Lancome) A surpise winner at huge odds. California Dreaming, having only secured 4 minor placings from 23 prior starts, blew them all out at around 50/1 in the 3rd of the day out of Winton, the upset victory coming at the expense of Dragoness and Major Burns, both of those runners being strongly supported on the tote.

California Dreaming does have plenty of breeding on his side with grandam Lancome a star performer on the track. Her wins in the 4YO Diamond of 2011 and NZ Yearling Sales Final the year prior would be among her most celebrated victories.

California Dreaming most probably dreamt of this moment right here.

Addington 13th December

Franco Motu (Always B Miki – Motu Time To Shine) Manners win races and, on Friday, Franco Motu, produced on debut, brought them along with him. That fact alone was enough to secure a debut win for the son of Always B Miki with Craig Thornley dictating a pedestrian tempo at the top of the race before unleashing a sound last 400m to score comfortably.

Franco Motu is out of a family known for its speed with grandam Motu Pocket O’Jewels leaving the likes of Motu Premier, Caitlyn Clarke, and the recently crowned Group feature winner in Rakero Rocket. Expect this McRae trained runner to keep winning races.

Franco Motu leads and wins at Addington

La Concha (Downbytheseaside – Jakira) The Dalgety barn is experiencing some good form lately and it added another maiden winner to its statistics on Friday night when La Concha found enough from the trail over the concluding stages to take the 9th on the card from the closing race favourite in Caught The Eye.

La Concha had been mixing the form lately while racing strong fields in recent starts with form behind the likes of Miki B.

Alexandra Park 13th December

Greased Lightnin (Vincent – Motu Racey Girl) Yet another from the ‘Motu’ maternal lines. Scoring well as favourite in the last of the night out of Alexandra Park was this juvenile gelding from the Purdon and Phelan stables. The winner extending a charmed run for Zahcary Butcher of late with the reinsman enjoying great recent success rates when in the sulky.

Greased Lightnin scores well at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

Rangiora 15th December

Gold Nugget (Father Patrick – Gold Card) A little bit of a gold strike on Sunday at Rangiora for the Ford barn. This 6yr-old had previously broken late when looking a winning chance at Geraldine but, on Sunday, when given a similar trip into things, the son of Father Patrick kept himself trotting to score a nice victory at start number #17. Gold Nugget joins the impressive Gold Chain, winner of 9, as winners out of Gold Card (Love You)

Gold Nugget brings the manners and scores well on Sunday.

Rakero Lightning (Bettor’s Delight – Our Melody) A good winner out of the Steven Reid barn, Rakero Lightning had to do plenty of early work in the 2nd of the day but that didn’t seem to worry the filly by Bettor’s Delight, kicking late to hold off the challenge of Jena in the run to the line to score a nice maiden victory at start #9 – the win also being the first time the filly had placed when produced race day.

Rakero Lightning is a fully sister to Gossip Girl, a 4 time winner.

Lonnekers (Vincent – Gipsy Woman) This Ross Cameron trained runner had always shown plenty of ability at trials and workouts but, until Sunday at Rangiora, hadn’t put everything together on raceday, That story change abruptly at Rangioa as the 3yr-old produced a strong effort to score in the 3rd of the day at Rangiora.

The 12/1 quote most probably presented value considering the motor seen at trials and workouts.

Dam Gipsy Woman has well and truly proven herself a capable broodmare, leaving the 10-time winner Islas Joy (Changeover) and the now 18-time winner Saginaw ( Well Said) among her progeny.

Lonnekers is certainly one to watch after this strong victory at Rangiora.

By Harnesslink Media