Is This Love? Sure Is!

With one to the races before a New Year begins, Te Akau ended the year on a pleasing note when Is This Love (3 f O'Reilly - One Love, by Danasinga) recorded a terrific debut win under an exemplary ride by Reese Jones in the Starlight Cinema Centre Maiden 1400 metres on December 30 at Taupo.

Jones, who had been aboard the filly in her most recent trial, was engaged for the ride just prior to the start of the meeting when it was reported that Matt Cameron was unwell.

The filly became Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman's fourth winner in just 48 hours.

Away nicely from barrier five, Jones nursed her up to a trailing position at the 900 metres. Travelling on a nice rein thereafter, Is This Love, who shares her title with the Bob Marley hit, was presented into the clear on straightening and laid her cards on the table with a dogged drive to the line.

With a long neck to spare, Is This Love returned $10.20 & $3.50 on the NZ TAB and ran the 1400 metres in 1:23.7 with the last 600m in 36.5.

Bred by Andre Galvin, Is This Love is owned by Waikato Stud.

“Galv had the mare and I loved this filly as a yearling,” said Mark Chittick. “I loved what the mare had done and really like the family, so I bought it off him and promised him it wouldn't go through the yearling sales.”

From a very keen racing family in South Canterbury, Galvin had experienced great success with One Love. The winner of seven races including the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1400m), she was stakes placed four times and bowed out with a second in the Valachi Downs South Island Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Riccarton. A race she placed in twice.

Te Akau assistant trainer Pam Gerard said of the first up win:

“She's done a good job today, so we're all happy. Reese had ridden her at the trials and said she'd done everything right, and he was more than happy to pick up the ride that unfortunately Matt (Cameron) missed out on.

“She's a lovely filly and we couldn't be happier,” said Gerard.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz