Grazia Wins Impressively

Te Akau principal David Ellis touted Grazia (4 m Savabeel - Trocair, by Flying Spur) as a potential stakes quality mare following her win in the $22,500 Rating 75 2100 metres on Saturday 29 April at Hastings.

“It's especially exciting for me to be winning races with a mare that the owners have had to been patient with,” said Ellis, who purchased Grazia as a yearling for $100,000, from the draft of Little Avondale Stud, at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale.

“She was bred by Christopher Grace QSM at Hunterville, from a breed that needs time and now that she's won three of her last five starts I see no reason why she can't win black type next season.

“She's a full-sister to Shillelagh who won a Group Three race today at Hawkesbury in Australia for Christopher and Susanna Grace, and we also bought another O'Reilly filly from the same family this year.

“We'll turn her out for a spell now as the tracks begin to get heavier but I think she'll continue to improve and be competitive in stakes' races, and it's great that the owner's patience is being rewarded.

“It's terrific the way that Steve (Autridge) and Jamie (Richards) have bought her along in training and as I've said before ‘patience is the cheapest thing in racing'.”

Ridden to victory by Dylan Turner, who has also been successful aboard stable-mates Don'tblamethemusic (Coats Choice) and Astrid (Pins), Grazia had a somewhat unenviable task of dragging the field up behind tearaway pacemakers but he timed it to a nicety to claim them 100 metres before the line and the mare was determined to do the rest.

In a strong field for the race sponsored by Vertigo Catering @ HB Racing, Grazia was appreciative of the Dead4 footing, which enabled some good times to be posted, and returned $8.50 & $2.30 on the tote, $8.00 & $2.20 fixed odds, for the Te Akau Grazia Syndicate.

Grazia is a sister to Brisbane Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) winner Tullamore (five wins, $632,992 stakes) and recent Group Three winner and placed Shillelagh. She is also very closely related to the Wellington Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) winner Graphic (Volksraad), and with every win continues to become an increasingly valuable mare.

Grazia was strapped by Milou Grylls.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz