Nice One Niamh

Just like her stakes' winning half-sister Thrive (Colombia), Niamh Elizabeth (3 f Per Incanto - Trove, by Paris Opera) also won her first start on the home course at Matamata.

While Thrive recorded her win on debut, Niamh Elizabeth came off a gallant second to win the Peter Howland's Beaurepairs Matamata Maiden 1200 metres. But they shared similarities in that the going was heavy, each started favourite, both were ridden by Matt Cameron and trained by Te Akau.

Niamh Elizabeth was the second of four winners for Cameron, on the eight race programme.

Purchased by David Ellis for $62,500 at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, and owned by Paul Martin, Niamh Elizabeth was prepped by Jamieson Park for breeder Ken Browne.

“She has given both Karyn and me one of the biggest thrills this season,” said Ellis, while on holiday. 

“Anybody can train the very best horses, but Steve (Autridge) and Jamie (Richards) have been really patient with this filly, used a lot of commonsense, and done a great job with a lovely filly that looks as though she will go on and win more races.

“She's from a family that is slow maturing and she should be further improved next season.

“We're thrilled for Paul (Martin), who also races Flirty Gertey, Fastnet Fire, Latin Rose, and the yearling filly Inspire Me with us, and he will be delighted having named the filly after his granddaughters.

“She was bred by one of my good pals, Ken Browne, from Hawkes Bay. She's from a good family that stems from the region and Ken's had plenty of success with it."

Her dam Trove was bred by Tom and Jane Lowry, from their Okawa Stud family, before being purchased by Browne. The grand-dam Fun (Three Legs - Enjoy, by Aythorpe) produced In Joyment (St Hilarion), who included six wins over staying distances and amassed stakes of $579,974.

A winner at her second start in New Zealand, In Joyment then transferred to Gai Waterhouse in Sydney where in 1998 she won the Gr.1 Metropolitan Handicap (2500m).

Ellis also paid tribute to the Te Akau staff and continued team effort that sees the Autridge & Richards training partnership with a healthy lead of eight in premiership honours, the latest victory taking them to 104 wins for the season.

Niamh Elizabeth was strapped by Te Akau apprentice jockey Jasmine Fawcett.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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