9 Wins in 48 Hrs - Lara Wins by Lengths

Cutting a pretty picture through the line, Lara Antipova (2 f Russian Revolution – Artistic Lass, by Myboycharlie) bolted in on debut in the $18,500 Manco Maiden 2YO 1150 metres on 7 December at Te Aroha - becoming the sixth winner for Te Akau stables in 48 hours.

After having rivals covered when winning a trial on 14 November at Avondale, Lara Antipova had shown natural precocity from the outset of her career and justified favouritsm ($1.80) with an eight-length victory.

In the hands of leading rider Craig Grylls, Lara Antipova began well to situate second, travelled easily on the bridle turning for home, and romped clear inside the 300m to win as she liked.

“I was upside the leader straightaway and she had a really nice kick at the 300m, and when I went for her again, she found more,” Grylls said.

“It was pretty effortlessly done and it’s a bright future for her. She’s an old head on young shoulders and did everything professionally.”

Getting into second from off the pace, stable-mate Miss Perna (Satono Aladdin) provided a quinella for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, while the win was their sixth two-year-old win this season and came a week after Kinnaird (Home Affairs) won on debut at Otaki.

“It was a really impressive performance by Lara Antipova and great to get another winner for John and Jessica Galvin and their owners,” Walker said. 

“John came with us to the Magic Millions Sale in January and we formed a shortlist of stallions that were not in demand at the time. Russian Revolution was among them, and although an outstanding stallion he just wasn’t the current flavour.

“She was certainly very well bought at the price (100k) and given the manner of the win she looks to have a bright future.”  

On Good4 footing, Lara Antipova ran 1150 metres in 1:07.2, last 600m in 33.2. 

On course, Bergerson said: “She was electric and her trials leading in had been good. There is still plenty of improvement and furnishing to come. 

“She was very professional today and hopefully some nice targets for her over the summer.”

Bergerson suggested the $175,000 Wakefield Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m) on Saturday 20 December, or the $225,000 Elipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 1 January at Ellerslie, could be possible targets.

Owned by the Fortuna Lara Antipova Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased for $100,000 by David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing, from the draft of Vinery Stud, at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. 

“It’s probably an understatement to say it was a very good performance,” Galvin said. “It’s great to be involved and great to have another winner at Te Aroha.

“We have liked this filly for quite a long time and she’s always shown the training team that she is pretty special.

“When we bought her, the sire Russian Revolution was just getting underway and his progeny have really hit their straps in the last couple of months, including Libertad who won the Winterbottom Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) last weekend in Perth. 

“Well done to Mark and Sam for their training effort and very much an armchair ride for Craig Grylls.”

Galvin also relayed that Lara Antipova is the name of the lead female character in the award-winning novel Dr. Zhivago, which, when made into a film won an Academy Award, where Lara Antipova was played by Julie Christie. 

Lara Antipova is by dual Group One winning sprinter Russian Revolution (Snitzel), Leading First & Second Season Sire in Australia, out of Artistic Lass, who won five races from 1800m – 2200m. 

She became the fourth individual winner for the mare, including winner of five races, Caring Lass (Sebring) and four-time winner Bubbly Lass (More Than Ready). 

Grand-dam Famous Painter (Peintre Celebre) left plenty of stakes’ performers, including Group Two and Group Three winners Sistine Demon (Excites) and Sistine Angel (Testa Rossa), and Group Three placed Themoonlitegambler (Good Journey) and Scully (Shooting To Win). 

The pedigree is further enhanced by third dam Rancheetah (Rancher), who recorded eight wins including a stakes’ win, and among five winners she left Group Two Gallopini (Canny Lad). 

Lara Antipova was strapped by Murala (Mali) Mallesh.

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz