Class By Name, By Nature

Genuine and honest, just what you want in a racehorse, Class (3 g Embellish – Opulent, by Keeper) won the $40,000 Risk Management Group 3YO 1400 metres on Saturday at Te Aroha.

A comfortable winner on debut over 1400 metres in October at Waverley, Class has continued to prove competitive, on the road to Riccarton and Trentham, and brought very good form to the race after consecutive thirds in the Karapiro Classic (Special Conditions, 1600m) on 8 February at Te Rapa, and Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m) on 8 March at Ellerslie.

Ridden by competent apprentice Ace Lawson-Carroll (a1), Class travelled third in a field of four, had the drop on the leaders turning for home, quickened to establish a two-length advantage at the 300m and held enough in reserve to see off race favourite Ballon d’Or (U S Navy Flag).

“He was nice, he relaxed beautifully and we got a nice drag into it,” Lawson-Carroll said.

“I thought I probably went a bit early, but he got the job done. I gave him one with the left-hand and once he got to the rail he kicked away again.”

On Good4 footing, Class ran 1400 metres in 1:22.9, last 600m in 35.2 (approx.) and paid $3.60 in a race that only offered a win dividend on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a good effort to round out his season, and he’ll go for a spell now,” said Mark Walker, who trains with Sam Bergerson.

“He’s kept improving throughout the campaign, been competitive in good fields, and as we know with the stock of Embellish, you’ve just got to be patient with them.

“He’s got the makings of a really nice four and five-year-old and we just have to be patient with him. 

“He was well ridden by Ace (Lawson-Carroll), eased out of the speed battle, and it was good to see the horse attack the line the way he did.”

A Te Akau homebred, bred by the Te Akau Opulent Syndicate, Class is by Embellish (Savabeel), whom David Ellis CNZM purchased as a yearling at Karaka, to win the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) before standing at Cambridge Stud, while Ellis also purchased dam Opulent, who won three races, finished fifth at Group Three level, and now left four individual winners of 12 races.

Te Akau has now trained three of those winners, with Luxuriant (Iffraaj) winning four times, and Plenty O’ Style (Embellish).

“It was a great way to start the day and our 98th win for the season,” Ellis said.

“I went over from the farm to the stables on Thursday to shout the team some food and drinks for all the good work they’re putting in again this season.

“He’s a promising horse, Class, from a tremendous family that Sir Patrick Hogan bred from, and he’s kept stepping up and improving all season. He really deserved another win. 

“We bred the horse here (Te Akau Stud) with Glenn & Cathie (Holmes), Cheryl Renouf, Nicky Hurst, the Estate of Chris Griffin and Jim & Pauline Hepburn also have shares in all four horses we’ve got racing today in the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Trentham. 

“I’m thrilled for the owners and also for the Cambridge Stud sire Embellish, who I think is one of the most underrated stallions in New Zealand. 

“He’s leaving some really nice horses, Embellish. His progeny keeps winning and they’ll just keep getting better as they mature.” 

The third dam, Dancing Show, is by Nijinsky (Northern Dancer) and the family includes Group One winners: Redoute’s Choice, Platinum Scissors, Manhattan Rain, Umatilla, and Hurricane Sky. 

Of note, a family member was purchased for $1.9m at Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast, and the dam of Opulent, Silk Slipper (Woodman), was retired through injury after finishing second at her only start.

The same family has been in terrific form of late, producing dual Group One winner Tom Kitten (Harry Angel) to win The All-Star Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m), Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winning filly Marhoona (Snitzel), Willam Reid Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner Schwarz (Zoustar), and New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) runner-up Dubai Gold (Pride Of Pride). 

On course, racing manager Reece Trumper said: “It was great to see him take a sit, and run home strongly.

“He obviously got there (front) and floated a bit, but the second horse is a very genuine horse, also, and it wasn’t a bad form race.

“He’s going to continue to improve as he gets older. The homebred horses probably don’t get as much credit as they deserve. 

“Dave (Ellis) and Karyn bred this horse with some very good clients and they’re having some fun.”

Commenting on the sale of yearlings purchased earlier in the year, Ellis said: “I’m really pleased with the way they’ve been selling.

“We’ve got a few shares left in a handful of yearlings, and I’ve been thrilled seeing how they’ve developed here at the farm since we bought them.

“I’ve been getting some fantastic feedback about the yearlings from the breakers, that have been breaking them in, and Opie (Bosson), who has ridden a lot of them, said he can’t wait to see them racing as two-year-olds next season. He’s really impressed with them.”

Class was strapped by Rasheed Alam. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz