5 WIN WEEKEND: Quali Group 3 Quality

Back with a vengeance, Qali Al Farrasha (6 m Almanzor – Nucleonic, by Burgundy) resumed with a super win in the $100,000 Group 3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) on Saturday at Hawera.

A Te Akau homebred, and year older sister to former stable-mate and South Island Champion Two-Year-Old Nucleozor, Qali Al Farrasha is owned by Sir David Ellis and David & Matthew Peacocke (Weston Lea Bloodstock). 

Quadruple Group One placed in the New Zealand Oaks (2400m), Thorndon Mile (1600m), Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m), and Bonecrusher Stakes (2000m), last season Qali Al Farrasha won the Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and lifted her earnings to over $700,000 with her latest success.

Qali Al Farrasha had quickened well over the concluding stages to finish a close third in a trial on 15 September at Ellerslie, in preparation to resume, and again with former Te Akau apprentice Wiremu Pinn in the saddle she looked a top three chance - despite some concerns from the team over the deteriorating track conditions.

It was a mature ride from Pinn, who had Qali Al Farrasha trucking along nicely near the pace, before taking stock as pressure mounted approaching the home, but once given her head she quickly took control and powered home to score impressively.

“It was really good to see her win the way she did, today,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson. 

“Wiremu (Pinn) gave her lovely ride, picked the right path in getting her out to better ground in the straight, and once he let the brakes go, she really attacked the line. 

“She looked a bit of a ratings' special, and was clearly highest rated (102), given the weight-for-age conditions of the race. We purposely missed the Hawkes Bay Triple Crown races in preference for getting her going now and racing over Summer and into Autumn. 

“As a six-year-old, she even seems a bit stronger and better this time around. She should be in for a nice season.”

On footing that held at Heavy8, despite precipitation, Qali Al Farrasha ran 1400 metres in 1:27.1, last 600m in 36.9 (approx.), scored by one and a half lengths, and paid $5.50 & $2.20 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“That was fantastic to see Qali Al Farrasha win the Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes fresh-up and to race her with two great mates, David and Matt Peacocke, makes it even better,” Sir David said.

“Sam and Reece got a treble on the day at Matamata, which was a really good day of racing, and now this mare has made it four for the day, and has provided the second stakes' win for the stable this season.

“She been such a game and talented filly and mare throughout her career, and seeing her back like this as a six-year-old is testament to all the incredible work that the team is doing.

“We’ve got a full-sister to Nina (as we know her) going to the yearling sales in January at Karaka, and Nucleonic is going back to Almanzor this season.”

Te Akau also trained the dam of Qali Al Farrasha, Nucleonic (Burgundy), who impressed winning on debut over 1200 as a two-year-old, while grand-dam Mexican Rose (Volksraad) was Champion 2YO & 3YO in Singapore, having first impressed winning two of her three starts in New Zealand.

In addition, Sir David purchased dam-sire Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice), the winner of five stakes' races and three-quarter brother to five-time Group One winner and Champion Sire Darci Brahma (Danehill), whom he also bought as yearling as Karaka. 

Qali Al Farrasha was strapped by Sarah West. 

Photo credit - Jane Davidson - www.raceimages.co.nz