Boxing Day Win 1 - Grace 'n' Grey Simply Gorgeous

Grey filly Grace ‘N' Grey  (2 f Spirit of Boom - Gracious Grey, by Redoute's Choice) led home a Te Akau quinella in the $60,000 Civic Contractors 2YO 1100 metres on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.

After drawing out to win at the trials on 15 November at Taupo, before notable debut second to stable-mate I Choose You (I Am Invincible) in Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 27 November at Te Aroha, Grace ‘N' Grey was the short-priced favourite ($1.60 & $1.30).

Beginning smartly, Grace ‘N' Grey steadied to lead on bridle, quickened 250m to a two-length advantage and despite running out over concluding stages, she safely held stable-mate Dynastic (Almanzor ) at bay.

“As Jamie (Richards) said all along, leading into today, horses that have raced are a little more clued up than the rest,” said rider Danielle Johnson. “She was able to jump today but probably got on the wrong leg just before the corner and that sent her on an outward movement.

“She'll improve a lot for that, but she's pretty professional. I felt Opie (Bosson) getting closer and closer on Dynastic but she kept giving and the (Te Akau) team have got some exciting chances for the Millions.”

A lovely colt, having his first start, Dynastic should lose no detractors after racing three wide near the pace and finishing second.

By Champion Queensland Sire Spirit of Boom (Sequalo), Grace ‘N' Grey is from mare by Champion Sire and Champion Broodmare Sire Redoute's Choice (Danehill). She was purchased for $240,000 by David Ellis CNZM at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, and owned by Te Akau Gracious Spirit Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“It's a big thrill when you buy these horses at the yearling sales, put a lot of good friends into them and they trust you, and it's great to see them come out and race like that,” Ellis said.

“She's our third two-year-old winner in a week and the race provided another couple that are staking their claims for the Karaka Million.

“She's done everything right and won impressively, Grace ‘N' Grey, and I thought the colt was very good, too, especially off a tough trip.

“I bought her from Brendan and Jo Lindsay and any yearling from Cambridge Stud you know is going to have a really good chance of making it.”

At the time of sale, Ellis said: “She has a lovely line-up of stallions on her page, going back to the immortal sire Northern Dancer, and hers is a truly international family.

“We thought she could become a real Karaka Million filly and there's a lot happening in the family. She is all class, lovely colour, and she proved very popular.”

Winning by one a quarter lengths, Grace ‘N' Grace ran 1:05.1 on perfect Dead4 footing.

“Danielle did a good job on her, dictating the pace, she snared a couple of cheap sectionals across the top and quickened well off the corner,” Richards said.

“The filly still lacks a bit of ring-craft, but it was good to get her up here and have a look around before the Millions.”

Before contesting the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) on Saturday 22 January, Richards suggested Grace ‘N' Grey would have a gallop away from home.

David Ellis added: "We have man of our long-standing owners in this filly but Karyn and I were also thinking of the family of the late Carol Buttimore. Carol was a first time owner with Te Akau, buying shares at Karaka earlier this year.  She couldn't wait to see her horses race however she sadly passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly a few months ago.  We know how much this win will mean to her husband Tony and her family."

The team was also pleased with Dynastic, Richards saying: “He did it tough out there (three wide), but I was pleased with the way he found the line. He's a colt we've got a lot of time for. Time will be his friend, but we'll play around with him for the next week to 10 days and make a call. He'd be on cusp regarding prize money needed to get in (to KM).

“They're two really nice horses that Dave (Ellis) bought at Karaka, and a big shout out to the team at Bullock Bar in Wanaka, that have got a few shares in Grace ‘N' Grey. My uncle and a few of his mates, and they'll have a great day.

"I also thought the debut effort by Iff I Get Paaid, an Iffraaj filly Dave bought for the Boys Get Paid team, was a solid one too.  She is still learning but I am sure the lads are going to have plenty of fun with her."

Grace ‘N' Grey was strapped by Kendyll Lee.

Photos credit - www.raceimages.co.nz