Game Set Match Avantaggia

At her second start, royally bred filly Avantaggia (3 f Wootton Bassett – Avantage, by Fastnet Rock) won the Donaghys Moxipor $18,500 Maiden 3YO 1150 metres on 12 October at Te Aroha.

The winner of three trials before fighting hard for fourth when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 20 September at Ellerslie, won by subsequent Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) winner Well Written (Written Tycoon), Avantaggia was sent out warm favourite from barrier one.

Ridden by Te Akau stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM, Avantaggia received an economical trip behind the pace, easily took the gap, quickening through to lead at the 300m and sustained a strong gallop to win.

“The first start, she had to work quite hard from a wide gate and probably used up a bit too much petrol, but she bounced out that race fine and her work had been quite nice,” Bosson said. “Barrier one, today, was a big assist. 

“They were going quite quick, which had her off the nickel most of the way, but she’s professional, went through the gap good as gold, she did though just have a look at the winning post.” 

On footing downgraded from Soft5 to Soft6, Avantaggia ran 1150 metres in 1:08.0, last 600 in 33.9 (approx.), and as race favouite she paid $1.90 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

Trained Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, Avantaggia was syndicated and owned by the Te Akau 2024 Avantage Filly Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Avantaggia is the first foal out of Te Akau star mare and nine-time Group One winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock).

On course, Bergerson said: “It’s really rewarding for the whole team and a full circle moment, as obviously we had so much to do with her mum.

“She’s got plenty of her traits, too, and she was aided by a really good ride from Opie. I think it was a sharp enough field, so hopefully she goes on with it.

“Obviously black type is the goal for her and there’s plenty of nice races coming up over the Christmas period.”

“It was a really good win, today, and lovely ride of Opie’s,” Walker said. “It was a good educational run and she’ll now be looking for more distance than the 1150 metres. 

“It’s been quite a tough Spring for preparing the young horses, with all the rain we’ve had, so to see her quicken up over the short distance was really encouraging.

“We’ll see how she comes through it, but obviously we’ll be looking towards black type opportunities for her in the near future.

“It certainly was an encouraging win and there’s a lot more improvement to come.”

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM began the fairytale story when purchasing Avantage as a yearling for $210,000, from The Oaks Stud draft, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, being bred by Southlanders Willie and Karen Calder. 

Her dam, Asavant (Zabeel), won the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) and finished third in the Group 1 International Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa - Ellis was rightfully bullish on the progeny of Fastnet Rock having bought both Heroic Valour, who provided the sire with his first Group One winning two-year-old globally when taking out the Group 1 Diamond Stakes (1200m), and also Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Rock ‘N’ Pop.

Avantage was the 2017/18 Champion Two-Year-Old and was the second of eight Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winners bought by Ellis and trained by Te Akau. She went on to win nine Group One races, the most for any of Fastnet Rock's offspring, won a Group 3 in Sydney and ended her career with a tally of 16 wins from 28 starts, with $2.1 million in prize money for owners in the Te Akau Avantage Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

She then set a world record $4.1 million when sold online through Gavelhouse.com to Coolmore Australia, where she was foaled.

The first foal from Avantage, Avantaggia was among nine purchases by Ellis which saw him lead the buying after three days at the 2024 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, paying $2.1 million for the filly out of the Coolmore draft.

“She ran a good race for fourth on debut and I’m delighted to see her win her second start,” Ellis said.

“I’ve had plenty of congratulatory phone calls and texts and quite a few good judges were taken with her effort and said it won’t be her last win.

“It’s exciting to have bought Avantage as a yearling and see the team train her to win nine Group One races. She was a debut winning two-year-old and just an outstanding filly and mare for Te Akau and for her owners to race. 

“She developed into a real powerhouse, and won Group One races at 1200m, 1400m, 1600m, and 2000 metres. There are not many horses in the world that ever do that.

“All the team at the farm and stables have done a great job with Avantaggia. She’s a beautiful filly to work with, looked fantastic before the race and she’s certainly got ability.

“Prior to the sale in January on the Gold Coast, I went to Coolmore Stud in December to look at its yearlings. I saw both Avantaggia and Avantage’s second foal which was by I Am Invincible - one of the nicest foals you’d ever see, which Coolmore has retained.

“When seeing them, I thought to myself that this mare (Avantage) is going to make the grade and we wanted to be in the team by securing one of her offspring. 

“We’ve got fantastic owners in Avantaggia, some that also raced Avantage, and it’s great to get their support.”

Avantaggia was strapped by Murala Mallesh. 

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz