Combat Queen Wins the Battle

Date: 11 Dec 2019

Combat Queen Wins the Battle










Following two fifths, Combat Queen  (3 f Pierro - Missy Cummings, by Magnus) broke through with a dominant win in the $10,000 Tremain Group Maiden 1600 metres on 11 December at Hastings. 





Combat Queen had run good time (last 600m, 34.7) on debut over 1200 metres on 6 November at Avondale, in a race won by subsequent winner and Bonecrusher Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) runner-up Showoroses (Showcasing), while second placed stable-mate Star of Bombay (Atlante) won her next start by four lengths. 





The 1200m, 1400m, 1600m step in distance worked ideally, as too did a sweet ride by Danielle Johnson. Out of the gates with purpose to breast up outside the leader, Combat Queen soon had cover on the back of equal favourite Ripper Of A Dream (Rip Van Winkle). After tracking beautifully, she found the front easily at the 200m and drew clear when asked to extend.





Providing trainer Jamie Richards with a winning double on the day after Byzantine has won earlier, Combat Queen won by nearly three lengths. She paid $3.20 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote and ran the mile in 1:37.9 on (Dead4) footing with the fire out. 





Purchased by David Ellis from the draft of Segenhoe Stud, at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, and owned by Te Akau Combat Queen Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Her sire, Pierro (Lonhro), was Champion First & Second Season Sire in Australia, producing $2m Australian Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Levendi, $1m VRC Oaks (Gr. 1, 2500m) winner Pinot, and additional Group One winners Arcadia Queen, Pierata, and Shadow Hero. 





“Boys Get Paid has got a share in the filly, along with some really good clients, so we'll have a lot of happy owners,” Ellis said. 





“She's increased dramatically in value, not only by becoming a winner but since we bought her the half-sister Mizzy (Zoustar) has won two Group Two races and a Group Three in Australia, and over $1.5 million. So, it's not just the equation of purchase price versus what our horses race for, but the performance of progeny in the family can greatly enhance their value. 





“Combat Queen is a perfect example and we've purchased a filly for $135,000 that is now worth a lot more than that. She's very well related and we had researched prior to her purchase that the first foal (Mizzy) was showing plenty of promise in the stables of Anthony Cummings.”





“It was a great ride by Danielle (Johnson),” added Ellis. “She summed the race up perfectly and seems to go to another level when she riding in the tangerine.” 





Combat Queen was the ninth recent winner from 23 starters (strike rate 2.5) for trainer Jamie Richards, who leads the premiership with 46 wins this season. 





“All the team and track riders are doing a fantastic job, turning the horses out in terrific order and the results we're getting at present are a real credit to them,” Richards said. “I can't thank them enough. 





“It was a lovely ride by Danielle (Johnson). The filly wanted to over-race a fraction, but she is still learning - after all it's only her third start. She's got a lovely pedigree and she's bred to be good. We liked her at the sales and Dave (Ellis) backed his judgement. 





“It was a good effort by our middle barn to get her there in winning order. She does tie up a little bit and takes some managing. But, she's been enjoying being trained from the sand yard, which gives her room to move around. And the key to getting the best out of our horses is to treat them all as individuals and I think the team has done a wonderful job.”





Not only is the family flying, but Combat Queen is by a high-quality sire, Pierro, and sports the bloodline crosses of some tremendous sires: Mr. Prospector, Northern Dancer, and Mill Reef.





Combat Queen was strapped by Bagh Singh.






Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz


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