Group 2 Glory - Need I Say More

Creating quite a record, Need I Say More  (3 g No Nay Never - Bo Bardi, by Fastnet Rock) proved superior in the $100,000 Fusion Electrical Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on Oaks Day (20 March) at Trentham.

Used early to go forward outside the leader, Need I Say More travelled firmly on the bridle under Johnathan Parkes. He assumed control at the 200m and drew out to win by one and a half lengths. It was a big effort from the outside gate (11).

Stable-mate Cornflower Blue (Savabeel), who finished third to compatriot Kahma Lass (Darci Brahma) in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), got home strongly for third.

It was the seventh win from nine starts for the strong chestnut, six of those in stakes' races, and notched the first Wellington Guineas for Te Akau since five-time Group One winner and champion stallion Darci Brahma (Danehill) scored in the 2005.

After winning the Sarten Memorial (Gr. 2, 1400m) on Need I Say More in October at Te Rapa, the victory continued a fine record for Parkes this season with trainer Jamie Richards, having won three times, including the Karaka Million 2YO (Listed, 1200m), aboard On the Bubbles (Brazen Beau), among five in total and a strike rate of 2.6.

In his two prior starts, Need I Say More had produced a stunning victory in the Almanzor Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) when resuming on Karaka Million night (23 Jan.), and arrived with a well timed finish in the Mufhasa Fasttrack Stakes (Listed, 1300m) on Derby Day (7 March) at Ellerslie.

On Dead4 footing, Need I Say More ran the 1400 metres in 1:22.8 and drifted in betting to return $4.30 & $1.30 on the TAB tote.

“He's a winner and Parksey gets on with him well,” Richards said. “I can't fault the horse and he's going really well.

“With a break at Te Akau Stud after contesting the 1000 Guineas during his spring campaign, and a heap of feed, he's come back stronger for a late summer/autumn preparation.

“I'm not sure where he'll go next, but he's done enough and might be best to have a spell and prepare for next season.”

Owned by the Te Akau Never Say Die Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis), Need I Say More was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $130,000, from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

“He was passed in at the sales, but I really loved the horse and came home and couldn't sleep knowing I didn't have him,” said Ellis, previously. “I rang the vendor, Eion Kemp, who stayed in for a share because he loved him too.

“We have some new owners in the horse, which we're thrilled about and he's proving to be a very good racehorse. That was his fifth black type win this season.

“Parksey is having a great season in the tangerine. He tries hard on every horse, is disciplined with his weight, and I'm thrilled to see the success he's getting.

“Cornflower Blue ran very well too. Any horse you train for Waikato Stud is always a big chance and they're a top operation.

“And, I'm very proud because Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) went down to oversee things at Trentham and she won the Fashion in the Field, too - which she didn't enter, the judges chose from on course attendants.

By an unbeaten two-year-old and a sire making waves in Europe, No Nay Never is by Scat Daddy (Johannesburg) who sired 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, while his dam, Bo Bardi, is by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill) and won over 1400 metres in Australia.

Need I Say More was strapped by Reece Trumper.

“Reece is a young man who's going right to the top in the racing industry,” Ellis said. “He's an absolutely champion young bloke, very capable and hard-working.”

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz