Full of Grace - Full of Winning

Date: 17 Feb 2019

Full of Grace - Full of Winning


Bred on the same cross as champion mare Silent Achiever, Full of Grace  (3g O'Reilly - Tuesday's Child, by Zabeel) produced a strong winning performance in the $12,000 Rating 65 1600 metres on 17 February at Gisborne. 





Not only does he share the same O'Reilly (Last Tycoon)/Zabeel (Sir Tristram) cross as the quadruple Group One winner of $3.6 million in prize money, he also hails from the family of breed shaping stallion Redoute's Choice (Danehill).





Spelled in May following a very good victory over 1400 metres at Ruakaka, Full of Grace has been patiently handled by Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards and recorded his second win from seven starts for the Te Akau Full of Grace Syndicate.





The win propelled Richards into the premiership lead with 67 wins this season, including 12 stakes victories, and he also leads the way in prize money. 





“It was a good tough effort and a nice ride from Gryllsy,” Richards said. “He put him on the speed and he led when he won his Maiden at Ruakaka, so he likes being there and he's improved.





“He was caught deep fresh-up at Te Aroha, and after that run we gave him a bit of time. He then went to Te Teko, and was a little unlucky in behind them, so now with another win we'll look to place him right and hopefully he can win a few more.”





Quickening to a handy advantage inside the 300m, Full of Grace held at bay a strong late challenge from Powerball (Savabeel), a horse capable of fast closing sectionals, which enhances the winning performance. 





On Good3 footing, Full of Grace ran the 1600 metres in 1:37.2 and paid $5.10 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote.





A yearling that both Te Akau principal David Ellis and Sir Patrick Hogan loved as a type, he was bought by Ellis for $110,000 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud.





“He's a horse that's needed time to develop, being out of a Zabeel mare, and Jamie (Richards) has given him the time to strengthen and mature,” Ellis said. “And that patient approach is rewarding the owners.





“As a yearling, we advertised him in the newspapers and a lot of first time owners came from that, so it's terrific to see them with another win. 





“Butch Castles (CEO Hawkes Bay Racing) rang us a month ago and asked if we could support this meeting, and it's great that the Club has raised $40,000 in local sponsorship, I understand. They've got the local council behind them. They run the Club on volunteer support and the track looks absolutely brilliant.





“We like supporting these Clubs that put the hard work in and they do have a place in New Zealand racing.”





Ellis also commented on his friendship with the Grylls family and the premiership status for Te Akau in both New Zealand and Singapore.





“It's great to have Craig Grylls riding for us. I knew his grandfather (the late John Grylls) well and his father, Gary Grylls, rode my first Group One winner when Cosmetique won the 1986 Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie. 





“We're now in front in the premiership in both countries. Mark (Walker) is leading the way early in the new season in Singapore, and Jamie in having a wonderful season and has his nose in front here,” he said.





Full of Grace was strapped by Mason Stevens. 






Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz


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