Group Girls Go Galloping

Ahead of their fresh-up assignments, four-year-old mares Self Obsession (Shocking) and The Perfect Pink (Savabeel) produced strong work during an exhibition gallop on Saturday at Matamata.

Between races on an historic race day in which the Matamata Racing Club hosted their first Group One race, the pair went 1000 metres in 1:01 and last 600m in 35.3 on Soft6 footing.

Self Obsession was ridden by reigning Champion Jockey Michael McNab, who accompanied throughout her three-year-old campaign to win the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m), David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m), and Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m), before finishing runner-up to stable-mate Belle En Rouge (Burgundy) in the NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m), which tied them for honours in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year series.

Finishing third in the NZB Filly of the Year, The Perfect Pink (above), ridden by Te Akau Champion Apprentice Joe Kamaruddin, highlighted her season heading home a Te Akau first four in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and finishing second in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m).

The pair will add a proven and quality dynamic when they resume in the $100,000 Red Badge Spring Sprint (Gr. 3, 1400m) next Saturday (15 October) at Hastings, while both are likely to improve as they step up in distance.