Fellini Fearless

Date: 20 May 2023

Fellini Fearless

 

Fellini (3 g Belardo - Silke Top, by Librettist) fulfilled a double whammy when winning the $30,000 The Rat Hole Bulls 3YO 1300 metres on Saturday at Awapuni. 

 

Having provided trainer Mark Walker with a record setting (161st) win in the 3YO 1400 metres on 8 April at Pukekohe, Fellini created a milestone for rider Johnathan Parkes notching his 1000th career win.

Parkes, who won the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) aboard On the Bubbles (Brazen Beau), Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m) on Gingernuts (Iffraaj), and Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on Need I Say More (No Nay Never), had been off the scene for a time before his resuming win aboard stable-mate Kabugee (Satono Aladdin) on 23 April at Awapuni.

 

 

In contention from the outset, Fellini had stakes' winner and noted heavy track specialist Rocababy (El Roca) to his outside on straightening for the run home, but displayed terrific determination to withstand the challenge. 

Placed at his only course attempt, a stakes' performer boasting genuine attributes, Fellini rated a top three chance. 

On Heavy10 footing, he ran 1300 metres in 1:22.7 and paid $8.40 & $2.70 on the NZ TAB tote.  

“It was a good win and great to provide Johnathan Parkes with his 1000th winning ride in the Te Akau colours,” said trainer Mark Walker.

“He's a champion bloke, Johnathan - he's had some memorable successes with us and we're happy to have given him the milestone.

“Fellini is a consistently good horse that has done the job as a two and three-year-old and looks the type to win more races.”

From a talented international family, Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM bought Fellini for $40,000 from breeders Valachi Downs at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale. A year earlier at Karaka, his half-brother Chancellor (Vadamos - Silke Top) sold for $185,000. 

His grand-dam Zaza Top (Lomitas) was Second Top filly in the German 2YO Handicaps and continued successfully at stud, having already left Champion 3YO in Germany Zazou (Shamardal), and Zoe Dream (Galileo), the winner of seven from 2300m to 4050m in France. She has also left Group Two placed Za Za Gabor (O'Reilly) in New Zealand, a half-sister to Silke Top. 

Owned by the Te Akau Fine Fashion Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Fellini has won five of his 14 starts and $160,000 in prize money. 

“We've had a really good run over the years with Johnathan and he's won some major races for us,” Ellis said.

“He won the Avondale Guineas on Gingernuts before Opie (Bosson) won the New Zealand Derby and Rosehill Guineas on him, and had a great association with On The Bubbles in his two-year-old season to win the Karaka Million and Sires' Produce Stakes and finish second in the Sistema Stakes.

“He's a really good rider and a top man, and it's a very proud moment for us to see him ride his 1000th winner in the tangerine (colours).

“He's been a really good horse for the owners, Fellini, didn't cost a lot, and looks like he'll win more races.”

Fellini was strapped by Loka Manu. 

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