New Year Cheer - Group 1 Winner Avantage

To the sheer delight of owners in the Te Akau Avantage Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), former Champion Two-Year-Old Avantage (5 m Fastnet Rock - Asavant, by Zabeel) recorded her fifth Group 1 victory when resuming in the $200,000 Sistema Railway (Gr. 1, 1200m) on 1 January at Ellerslie.

“She's a Group winner at two, three, four and five, and typifies the sort of horse that we're trying to buy,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM.

“Obviously, not all horses can be champions like Avantage, who is one hell of a race mare, but if we can buy horses that can show natural talent to race as a two-year-old and keep improving as they mature, like this mare, and as others like Melody Belle (Commands) and Probabeel (Savabeel) have done, it's so rewarding to see a horse that keeps getting better with time and experience.”

Ellis purchased Avantage for $210,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, and her 12 wins from 22 starts have amassed $1.66 million in prize money.

“It's pretty exciting stuff,” Ellis said. “Firstly, to the sponsor Sistema, a company that everybody in New Zealand should be so proud of - it was started by Brendan (MNZM) and Jo Lindsay (Cambridge Stud), and I am so pleased to have them here because we have a habit of winning races they sponsor.

“And, another sponsor, who also has a share in Avantage, Dave Smith from Dunstan (Feeds), and I can tell you that Avantage eats nothing else but Dunstan. 

“Russell Warwick, who presented the trophy, is one of the truly great racing administrators in New Zealand. He's been Chairman of the Auckland Racing Club, and now a director, he puts in at every level and does it for nothing. These people do it because they love racing. 

“I'd also like to point out Don Hancock, who was here to celebrate the win, for his ownership and single-minded approach to getting RaceForm (racing publication) back up and running. It is the greatest thing in racing and it's incredible what Don has done in his life for the Australasian racing industry.

“It's incredible too, what this great mare has achieved. She's won a Railway; she's won a Telegraph; she's also won a Sire's Produce Stakes, and the Bonecrusher Stakes, the Otaki/Maori WFA - Group Ones at 1200m (2), 1400m, 1600m & 2000m. How good a mare is she? And, how good is the training performance of Jamie?

“She tries so hard and she's just such an athlete, with a fantastic pedigree. She is a champion race mare and is now very valuable.

“We can't buy horses like this and win these races without the support of our owners, and both Karyn and I are indebted to you all. 

“And, like Imperatriz who won the Eclipse Stakes today, Avantage was also the last horse to sell in her year. So it's quite amazing, really.”

Freshened after finishing second to stable-mate and dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands) in the Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) on 17 October at Hastings, Avantage sent a clear message to race rivals in the Railway when galloping clear by four and a half lengths to win a 1000-metre trial on 8 December at Avondale, and the race looked handed to her on a plate when Opie Bosson had her in the box seat and trailing the leader soon after the start.

After a beautiful trip, she sighted daylight two off the rail turning for home and unleashed her customary bulldog finish to win impressively.

“She's a Champion mare, ridden by a Champion jockey, and it's capped a great carnival for us,” said trainer Jamie Richards, who claimed his ninth win on the two-day Christmas/New Year Ellerslie carnival, and his 84^thfor the season. Richards ended 2020 with 20 Group & Listed wins, including 11 Group 1 level, and he's started 2021 with a Group 1, 2, & 3 on the first day of the New Year.

“We're building on what we achieved last year and as I keep saying, I can't do it on my own. I've got a wonderful team of staff behind me. Nicole Shalier and Sam Bergerson, who run the Middle Barn where Avantage and Savy Yong Blonk are stabled, do an amazing job, as does everyone else.

“To have David Ellis buying the horses and he and Karyn syndicating them, it's a successful combination and I'm honoured to be a part of it.”

Shortening in betting to return $2.10 & $1.20, Avantage ran the 1200 metres in a sizzling 1:08.9, last 600m in 32.5. 

Richards said Avantage will now be set for the $250,000 Telegraph (Gr. 1, 1200m) on 16 January at Trentham, a race she won thanks to a brilliant Bosson ride, and courageous performance, last year.

“She's got a great constitution and we put a lot of thought into how we approach her assignments,” he said. “It's the same with all of them, but you've got to have the horses to do it.”

Rider Opie Bosson said: “I know she's class. We got a soft run throughout and you know she's going to give you one-hundred percent every time you go out. I was happy to put her in the best spot, and it worked out.”

Avantage came back from 2000 metres to win at 1200 metres, prompting Bosson to add: “It goes to show the team effort that Te Akau have behind them. Jamie is amazing and his record speaks for itself, now. I'm just the lucky one that gets to ride these quality horses.”

Avantage was strapped by Trevor Stewart.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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