6 Win Saturday - Stakes' Victory Origin of Love

On her way to the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m), Origin Of Love (3 f Snitzel – Re Edit, by Camelot) won the $100,000 Group 3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) on Saturday at Riccarton,

After recording a strong second start Maiden victory over 1400 metres on the course in September, Origin Of Love fought well for fifth after working early in the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) on 11 October at Ashburton, won by stable-mate Cool Aza Rene (Cool Aza Beel), and rated a top three chance from barrier two.

Ridden by Irishman Joe Doyle, who previously won the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) on stable-mate Leaderboard (Street Cry), Origin Of Love was poised throughout in the trail, while stable-mate War Of Silence (Snitzel) was caught three-wide near the pace.

Once into the straight, Doyle manoeuvred Origin Of Love off the rail and with War Of Silence to her outside they set down to fight it out, with Professional Lad (Proisir) arriving to their outside to claim second.

It was an exciting finish and duly won by a progressive filly that received a good passage.

“She travelled strongly and got a split when we needed it,” Doyle said. “She’s still a touch green, but there’s a bit more in there, and a really, really, likeable filly, though.

“She’s a nice one. She’s got a good constitution and, look, I’m delighted to be riding for Mark (Walker) and Sam (Bergerson), and their connections. They’re tough guys to beat, and even if you’re not riding the best one, you could still be on the best one. So, I’m very grateful.”

Getting to know her well in the Te Akau Riccarton stable, assistant trainer Hunter Durrant said: “She’s just getting better and better with racing and with this win under her belt I think she’ll be even better heading into the 1000 Guineas. 

“It’s a great honour to do it for Dave (Ellis),” added Durrant, referring to Origin Of Love recording the fifth win on the card for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, while being successful in each race they contested. 

Te Akau last won the War Decree Stakes in 2021 with the David Ellis-purchased colt Noverre (Savabeel), on his way to winning the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m), and becoming an exciting young stallion at Waikato Stud.

Te Akau has now won it eight times, including subsequent Guineas’ winners Tell A Tale (Tale of the Cat) and Risque (Darci Brahma), as well as Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago) and Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice).

On footing upgraded to Good4, Origin Of Love ran 1600 metres in 1:35.9, last 600m in 33.7 (approx.), and paid $3.40 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was great to win that race today with Origin Of Love, a filly with a really good pedigree, being by the late, great, Snitzel, and a good ride to match her effort by Joe Doyle,” said Walker, on course. 

“She was a great walking filly when we first saw her at the Magic Millions' Sale on the Gold Coast, continued to improve and she’s peaking at the right time for the 1000 Guineas.

“It’s terrific to win a black type race with a filly with her pedigree, and great for her breeders and owners.”

Along with three other fillies in the stable, Origin Of Love is nominated for the $600,000 Group 1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) on Saturday 8 November at Riccarton, a race Te Akau has previously won seven times, matched by their seven wins in the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m).

Owned by the Te Akau 2024 Magic Fillies Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Origin Of Love was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for A$440,000 at the 2024 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Arrowfield Stud. 

“It’s a massive thrill to have a day like we’ve had, with six winners between the two meetings at Ellerslie and Riccarton, and special to win the War Decree Stakes with Origin Of Love, and finish third with War Of Silence, who never gave up after receiving a tough run,” Ellis said.

“It’s a great tonic for me, I’m feeling better every day, and it’s a real credit to all the hard-working team we’ve got at Te Akau. 

“Mark (Walker) was down there in Christchurch, to oversee the horses, and Hunter Durrant, Sam Bergerson, Reece Trumper, Mikey Gray, they’re all doing an amazing job training the horses, and Karyn and I are incredibly proud of all the whole team.”

Origin Of Love is by four-time Champion Sire in Australia, Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice), who serves so well the trilogy of Danehill – Redoute’s Choice – Snitzel, which is unrivalled in great Australian thoroughbreds.

She is the first foal from Re Edit, a three-time winner to 1600 metres, by the Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in Europe and Great Britian, Camelot (Montjeu). 

Among the dam line sires, High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells), Champion Sire and Sire of Sires, is backed up by tough New Zealand stallions Star Way and In The Purple.

Her third dam, Argante (Star Way), left Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) winner Monaco Consul, a dual Group One winner and head of the 3YO Free Handicaps (1600m+) in New Zealand. 

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “We love buying first foals, have had so much success with them, and this filly is an absolute cracker from one of the best studs in Australia.”

Origin Of Love carries a Danehill cross on the sire line and through the dam line of Camelot.

Origin Of Love was strapped by Amelia Southworth. 

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz