G1 Season Reflections Amarelinha

Big, strong, fast, and imposing, Amarelinha (3 f Savabeel - Hopscotch, by O'Reilly) has it all, and during her first season of racing notched a Group One victory and crowned New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year. 

Somewhat of a surprise when beaten a nose on debut by Wild Moose (Nadeem) in November at Awapuni - a horse that subsequently franked the form finishing third in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m). 

But, thereafter, she won five of her seven starts, scoring stakes victories in the Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m), David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m), Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m), and New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m), and second in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m).

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM purchased Amarelinha as a yearling for $300,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, and she banked $565,608 for the Te Akau Hopskip'n'jump Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) in addition to her enormous residual value.

“She was bred by Waikato Stud, and would have won races as a two-year-old if racing hadn't shutdown because of the pandemic,” Ellis said. 

“She is as good a filly as we've had in the stable for a long time, especially with her versatility and ability to step up in distance.”

She negated barrier 12 and came from 11^th with a withering turn of foot to pummel her rivals in the Jamieson Park Eight Carat Classic (Group 2, 1600m), under Opie Bosson.

“I waited and waited and when we turned for home I let her go and went past them so quick,” Bosson said.

Given a box seat run by Danielle Johnson in the David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m), Amarelinha cleared out to win by four and a half lengths.

“She's a really exciting filly and one we've held in very high regard right from the time David (Ellis) bought her as a yearling at Karaka,” said trainer Jamie Richards.

“She reminded us of Probabeel (Savabeel), didn't race as a two-year-old, mainly due to Covid lockdown at the back end of the season, but has more than made up for it.”

Derby Day at Ellerslie, Amarelinha became one of five winners on the programme for Richards when winning the McKee Family Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m) on Slow8 footing.

In a nail-biting finish, Amarelinha reeled in pacemaker Needle and Thread (Makfi), an impressive course winner of the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m), on the line.

“On a better track she's a lot better horse,” said Opie Bosson. “We hope she backs up for the Oaks and I'm sure Jamie (Richards) and the team will have her right.”

And right she was, sewing up the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series with a conclusive victory in the Albasti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) on 20 April at Trentham.

In the process, she set a national record for Te Akau when becoming their sixth Filly of the Year (34 points, 19 clear of second), with an honour roll including Shikoba (Chief Bearhart), Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago), Insouciant (Keeper), King's Rose (Redoute's Choice), and Costa Viva (Encosta de Lago).

Fully expected to deliver in the Oaks, and honouring her $1.60 favouritism, Amarelinha was awkwardly away from barrier 12 but able to recover and find a midfield position with a mile to run. She came from eighth nearing the 600m before sweeping up to level 400m out, quickening to a handy buffer mid-straight, and never flinched in holding a couple of earnest challengers at bay.

For national record holder Opie Bosson, it was his 83^rd Group One victory.

“My basic philosophy is to run the fillies in their own sex races, if possible, and I believe the Filly of the Year Series should be supported,” Ellis said. “Jamie and I worked through different scenarios for Amarelinha, and in hindsight I think we've opted the right way. 

“It's so exciting for everyone involved in a Filly of the Year, and while Amarelinha has a fantastic pedigree page, you can't underestimate how much winning this honour means, on top of that, for her commercial significance when it comes to breeding. It's invaluable and today is very special.”

Amarelinha ended her three-year-old season on 17 April at Royal Randwick, finishing fourth in the $1m Australian Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) on a day that stable-mate Probabeel (Savabeel) was second in the Queen of the Turf Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Entriviere (Tavistock) finished second in the Sapphire Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m).

Amarelinha is from the family of Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m) winner Metal Bender (Danasinga), a son of grand-dam Jacqwin (Bluebird). Metal Bender won nine races (four Group Ones) in Australia, and the title of top Australian 3YO, while Jacqwin has left seven individual winners of 22 races. Her sire, Bluebird (Storm Bird), is a high quality influence in any pedigree and represented by only a select band of mares in New Zealand. 

Through the sire line of Savabeel, as sire of Sir Tristram, and the dam line of grand-dam sire Bluebird, Amarelinha carries a bloodline cross to 1968 Epsom Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Sir Ivor (Sir Gaylord). Once said by legendary hoop Lester Piggott to be the best horse he ever rode. 

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