Interstellar our Bella

An impressive winner during her last campaign, Interstellar (3 f Shamoline Warrior - Amathea, by O'Reilly) resumed with a victory in the Allan Barnes Decorating Rating 65 1200 metres on 8 May at Wanganui.

Her win became the 85th for the season for Te Akau NZ trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards who lead the Trainers' Premiership by six wins.

Having now won twice from four attempts, Interstellar was dug along to situate three wide near the pace by Lisa Allpress, urged into contention on straightening, and kept up a resolute gallop to score narrowly in a driving finish.

In getting the favourite home, Allpress deserved plenty of credit for her ability to get the best from the filly over the concluding stages.

“It was a good effort to win after being slowly away,” said Stephen Autridge, who trains the filly with Jamie Richards.

“She was wide throughout and took the length of the straight to get past them, so it was the sign of a pretty good filly and a big effort fresh up.

Following a quiet trial at Avondale, and resuming off 219 days, Interstellar is expected to improve considerably for the run and the half-sister to NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) Savaria (Savabeel) should also appreciate more distance.

Owned by The Interstellar Partnership including David Ellis, Interstellar was purchased by Ellis for $125,000 from the draft of Bradbury Park, after she breezed up stylishly in 10.6 seconds, at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale last November.

“She hasn't had a race for a long time and she showed a lot of ticker,” said Ellis.

“This is our third Ready to Run Sales' purchase to have won in the last three days, including Hall of Fame and Royal Success at Pukekohe, and when I first saw this filly I absolutely fell in love with her.  Gary Lui, whose white colours with purple stars colours she races in, is an airline pilot from Hong Kong and he was very keen on the pedigree.

“I went into the ring to buy her, thinking she was $50,000-60,000 and couldn't believe I had to pay $125,000. After the sale I realised Roydon Bergeson was the under bidder and that he trained the half-sister (Savaria) that they thought a huge amount of and she went on to win the Oaks. So this filly is now very valuable,” said Ellis.

“The other owners in the partnership Jim and Pauline Hepburn have in the last ten days had seven wins and two seconds, and have shares in both Xtravagant and Heroic Valour,” said Ellis.

Interstellar's family includes Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Eileen Dubh, Fiveandahalfstar (Hotel Grand), winner of the Victoria Derby (Gr. 1, 2500m) and BMW (Gr. 1, 2400m), and the Moore family going back to their foundation mare Soliloquy (So Big) is one of the best performing families in New Zealand.

Interstellar (known affectionately as Bea for her 'Big Ears Actually') was strapped by Teina Walters.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz