Avantage Awesome Again

How good? A mare that can seemingly do anything, quadruple Group 1 winner Avantage (5 m Fastnet Rock - Asavant, by Zabeel) commenced her five-year-old season with a typically tough as teak performance in the $100,000 Valachi Downs Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 2, 1200m) on Saturday at Te Rapa.

Following an impressive victory earlier on the programme by Need I Say More (No Nay Never) in the WRC Northland Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), the day got even brighter for trainer Jamie Richards when another of his star mares returned to the fray in winning style.

Ridden by Danielle Johnson, who combined with her to win the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) during a season that included the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and being crowned Champion Two-Year-Old, Avantage was installed a dominant favourite ($2.10) and had to be at her brilliant best when coming from sixth at the 600m to run down a game Tavi Mac (Tavistock) over the concluding stages.

On Dead6 footing, Avantage ran the 1200 metres in 1:10.4. 

“Avantage was great and it was a big run from her,” Richards said. “She'd been coming up really well, been away for a gallop, and showed she was in for a good preparation the way she trialled at Taupo. And, the feedback from everyone that's been riding her had been very encouraging.

“Nicole (Shailer) and Sam (Bergerson) and the team at the Middle Barn have been looking after her and doing a great job. Trevor Stewart also does a great job with her at the races because she's not the easiest, and Danielle (Johnson) gave her a lovely ride from a good gate (2). 

“She was able to get on her bike at the 500m, when there was a bit of room inside Julius and thankfully it all played out well.

“I'm thrilled for the owners. They've been really patient with her, allowed us to do our thing, and hopefully she goes on from here.”

Stable-mate Prise De Fer (Savabeel), brilliant winning five in the row last season, also provided a big shout when getting home wide out for third under Opie Bosson.

At three, Avantage won the Birthday Card Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens, Sydney, and completed an astonishing Group 1 treble in the Telegraph (Gr. 1, 1200m), Haunui Farm Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m), with Johnson aboard, and Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m)), last season that catapulted her to stardom among NZ thoroughbreds. She is an extraordinarily tough and immensely talented mare, with a terrific pedigree.

Purchased by David Ellis for $210,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, owned by Te Akau Avantage Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), her 11 wins from 18 starts has amassed almost $1.5 million in prize money.

“She's a hell of a good mare and it was one of the best rides you'd ever see from Danielle (Johnson),” Ellis said. “It was 10 out of 10. She kept her on the job without too much pressure, allowed her to relax for awhile and then set out after the leader. It was very good ride and she has a fantastic record on her (winning four out of five). She's an incredibly gifted rider, Danielle, and riding a lot of track work for Te Akau. She's as good as they get.

“And, what a training feat by Jamie to win this race two of the last three years with fillies that also won the Karaka Million. Melody Belle and Avantage were both Champion Two-Year-Olds, Melody Belle is the reigning Horse of the Year, and these are the types of horses I'm trying to buy. Horses that compete at two and win races like the Karaka Million (Te Akau has won the last four), but they have to have the physiques that allow them to train on at three, four, five and six etc, and we're seeing that with a mare like Avantage who has just turned five. 

“It's not easy, but these are the types of horses I'm trying to buy. We're not trying to buy slow maturing horses, although many need a bit of patience and time anyway, but we won't buy horses that lack scope and only look as though they can run as two-year-olds. Obviously, having natural ability is the key for these horses to perform at two and keep getting better as they mature.”

Stabled at the Middle Barn, resplendent with fillies and mares, Ellis was quick to attribute their efforts in the fresh-up success of Avantage.

“Nicole Shailer runs the Middle Barn, and she is one of the best Te Akau has ever employed. She does an incredibly good job with the horses and the team. Sure, Jamie is the trainer, but he can't do everything himself and he's reliant on talented and dedicated people like Nicole and Sam and their team. 

“To win both Group races today at Te Rapa is an incredible achievement by everyone involved, Jamie and our team. 

“Opie (Bosson) had been riding her work and he rang me on Thursday after track work and said that Jamie had done a great job with Avantage and had her just how he wanted leading into the race. And he said she'd be very hard to beat. 

“I was also thrilled with how Prise De Fer raced. Opie rode him and he went a fantastic race for third.”

The Foxbridge Plate is named after Champion Stallion Foxbridge (Foxlaw), 11-time Leading Sire 1941-51 inclusive) in New Zealand. 

Avantage was strapped by Trevor Stewart. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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