Avantage Awesome Again - Win 1 Saturday

An impressive debut winner on the course earlier in the month, Avantage (2 f Fastnet Rock - Asavant, by Zabeel) had no problem making it two from two on Saturday 28 October in the $22,500 NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO 800 metres at Riccarton.

Catching the start well to lead, Avantage travelled best throughout and distanced her rivals to win untouched by six lengths on Good3 footing.

She was ridden to victory by premiership winning apprentice jockey from last season Sam Weatherley, who two days earlier, on Thursday at New Plymouth, won the jockey challenge at a meeting for apprentice riders. From six rides, Weatherley recorded two wins, second, and fourth.

“I was absolutely thrilled because the owners of Avantage turned down $750,000 for her, after she won her first race,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis, who purchased the filly in January this year for $210,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the Oaks Stud draft.

“To turn down that sort of money showed what good sports they are. They're in racing because they love the excitement of horses and (stable foreman) Dan Miller told me on Tuesday how much this filly had improved and as usual when Dan says something he says it because he's put a lot of thought into it.

“She was a foal share with Coolmore Stud and Southlander Willy Calder and when Opie (Bosson) rode her at the trials he told us she was the real deal. She's a Fastnet Rock filly out of a Zabeel mare and they just keep getting better.”

Avantage also collected an $8,000 Pearl Series bonus. She became eligible for the Pearl Series' Scheme, when nominated by Te Akau as a yearling, following her purchase at Karaka. The scheme offers bonuses of $2.6m and prize money of $2.8m, provided on up to 215 races for 2YO, 3YO, & 4YO fillies and mares.

Owned by the Te Akau Avantage Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she will now take aim at the $50,000 Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) on New Zealand Cup Day, Saturday 18 November, at Riccarton. A race Te Akau won two years ago with Sassy ‘N' Smart (Smart Missile) and previously with Bespoke (Pins), Encosta Diablo (Encosta De Lago), and Maroofity (Maroof).

“She's really improved and going to be a tough filly to beat in the Welcome Stakes,” Ellis said.

“It was a top ride by Sam (Weatherley) and great to provide his first win in the tangerine colours. I also gave his father (Darren) his first winning ride on a horse called Slice of Heaven in 1988, so it's great to keep it in the family.

“One of the owners in the filly is Tony Veitch, who is New Zealand's leading sports' broadcaster and he's already replayed the race on his radio sports' programme, which is the sort of coverage that racing is desperate for. Tony loves being involved and he's absolutely hooked."

On hand to witness the victory was part-owner Matt Peacocke, whose previous Welcome Stakes' runner, Quintette (Alamosa), purchased as a yearling by Ellis, finished second in 2012.

“It looks like she'll be off to the Karaka Million in January at Ellerslie,” Peacocke said. “It was win or nothing when having a bet and the fixed odds worked out well. She was first out and looked like she had plenty more in the tank.

“As owners, we're all in it to get a good one and she looks very good,” he said. “Sam (Weatherley) said she's just got class written all over her, and he didn't have to do much: just enjoyed the ride.”

Avantage provided the third two-year-old win this season for trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards.

“It was a very good win,” Richards said. “There were a few things that helped today, obviously, better ground and a running rail to follow. She jumped out of the barrier well and showed a clean pair of heels.

“She's an exciting filly to have in the stable. We all owe thanks to Dave (Ellis) for buying her at Karaka, it looks like the owners' decision to keep her is hopefully going to pay off.”

By champion Australian sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill), the dam of Avantage, Asavant (Zabeel), won the Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) as a three-year-old at Riccarton, gaining a Group One placing when finishing third in the Darci Brahma International Stakes (2000m), and while destined to get over more ground she looks to have the quality to prove very competitive wherever she is placed.

Avantage was strapped by Tegan Newman.