Elounda Impressive

Winning as a favourite should, Elounda (4 m Contributer - Nomisma, by Thorn Park) scored in the $14,000 Stella Artois Maiden 1400 metres on 8 November at Pukekohe.

After producing a very good debut second to stable-mate Kai (Iffraaj) in the Maiden 1200 metres 21 September, Elounda finished second to dual stakes' placed stable-mate Romancing The Moon (El Roca) in the Maiden 1400 metres on 8 October, both at Matamata, and she rated a top three chance.

Confidently bet and continuing to diminish ($1.60 & $1.20), Elounda camped in midfield for jockey Michael McNab before sighting daylight early in the home straight and asserted her dominance when drawing out late in the piece.

On footing that withstood showers to remain Good4, she carried the Mapperley Stud colours to victory over 1400 metres in 1:23.9 and last 600m in 34.5.

“She's a progressive mare that has been given plenty of time to mature and I think she can go through the grades,” said trainer Mark Walker.

Bred by Simms Davison (Mapperley Stud) and his mother, Meagan Schick, Elounda is raced by Mapperley Stud, Harry Davison, Matt Paterson, Mike Davies, Jonny Schick, Berridge Spencer, Matthew Ridge & Charli Waide.

Having shown ability in both trials and not put a foot wrong since, Elounda is the first foal from Nomisma (Thorn Park) who won four times to 1600 metres and grand-dam, Dosh (Danske), has left seven individual winners of 17 races including Group Two winner Sacred Park - Joyful Park (H.K.) (Thorn Park).

The result continued a good association with Te Akau and Mapperley Stud stallion Contributer (High Chaparral), who each celebrated the success of Campionessa (Contributer) in the Metropolitan Trophy (Listed, 2500m) last Saturday at Riccarton.

Speaking on behalf of the racing team, Simms Davison said: “It's been a good week. I've got a share in Campionessa and good to see another Contributer filly back it up with win a few days later.

“He's doing a really good job at stud, has had some nice winners and hopefully this filly can step up through the classes.

“She was passed in at the sales, but I like the family and we had no hesitation keeping her. Her mother Nomisma had a heap of ability and we were offered good money for her and then she broke down.

“She could have been something special and we're now hoping she can do the job as a broodmare.

“We've got good mates involved to race Elounda, so we were hoping she could do something pretty quickly. It's a really good syndicate of people that are passionate, but also realistic and happy to move on if horses don't measure up, or meet their mark.

“We've been very patient with her, but she's matured now and made a great start to her career. It's important that she keeps improving and goes well.

“The Te Akau stable has been great and the communications in keeping everyone up to speed is excellent.”

Elounda was strapped by Tamweer Alam.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz