Matamata Win 3 of 4 - Queen Reigns Supreme

What a difference a nose makes. It is the narrowest margin between winning and defeat in horse racing and it went the way of Combat Queen  (3 f Pierro - Missy Cummings, by Magnus) in the $10,000 Rating 65 Comag Rating 65 1600 metres on 2 February at Matamata. 

After recording a dominant win in December at Hastings, and notable fourth on 7 January in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres at Matamata, Combat Queen took advantage of a good draw (4) to record her second win from five starts for the Te Akau Combat Queen Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Rated a top four chance, and returning $6.70 & $2.30 on the tote, rider Michael McNab had Combat Queen handily placed before galloping up strongly to lead over the concluding stages and withstood challengers in a nose, nose, three-way finish. 

“She's a filly that can do so many things wrong, but in the end I thought it was a terrific win,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “I thought she was going to be an Oaks' filly and we could try and make her stay a little bit, but she can get quite keen and it can never be underestimated how much energy they go through if they race too keenly. 

“She stuck at it well to show she is a good, tough filly and it was a good job by Michael (McNab) to get her home. She's by a very good stallion and full credit to the team at the middle barn where she's stabled, because she's not the easiest.”

In a hot/dry period of weather in the Waikato, and country at large, the track raced very well after receiving 90mls of irrigation under the dutiful eye of course manager Graeme Styles in the preceding fortnight.

“I'd like to thank the Matamata Racing Club,” Richards said. “No word of a lie, the best club in New Zealand and a track presented in perfect order which enabled horses to win from the front and off the speed and it's testament to Graeme Styles and the great job that his team does. 

“We have a wonderful group of owners in this horse including the Boys Get Paid team. Some of her owners have been in a lot of horses with us over the years, so make sure you head out to the farm and have a look at the next lot.”

Combat Queen was bought by David Ellis from the draft of Segenhoe Stud, at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Her sire, Pierro (Lonhro), was Champion First & Second Season Sire in Australia, producing $2m Australian Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Levendi, $1m VRC Oaks (Gr. 1, 2500m) winner Pinot, and additional Group One winners Arcadia Queen, Pierata, Regal Power, and Shadow Hero. 

“It's the third win we've had recently for the Boys Get Paid group who share in the ownership with some really good clients, so we'll have a lot of happy owners,” Ellis said.

“I was thrilled for Michael (McNab). It was a top ride from a young guy that's riding really well and he's going to get a lot of opportunities for us in the next six weeks when Opie goes over to ride some of ours horses in Australia. 

“Combat Queen has increased dramatically in value. Not only by winning twice but since we bought her the half-sister Mizzy (Zoustar) has won two Group 2 races and a Group 3 in Australia, and over $1.5 million in prize money. So, it's not just the equation of purchase price versus what our horses race for, but the performance of progeny in the family as that can greatly enhance their value. 

“Combat Queen is a perfect example and we've picked up a filly for $135,000 that is now worth a lot more than that. She's very well related and we had some good information that the first foal (Mizzy) was showing plenty of promise in the stables of Anthony Cummings.”

Combat Queen sports the bloodline crosses of some tremendous sires: Mr. Prospector, Northern Dancer, and Mill Reef.

Combat Queen was strapped by Sumeet Pillay

Photo credit - www.raeimages.co.nz

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