Paramour Cranbourne Perfect
Date: 12 Oct 2024
Continuing to make terrific headway, Our Paramour (3 f Contributer – Victory Parade, by Street Sense) won the A$40,000 Ladbrokes Own Spring Maiden 2025 metres on 11 October at Cranbourne (Victoria).
After finishing third and first, respectively, in two trials last season in New Zealand, Our Paramour transferred to the Te Akau stables at Cranbourne, where she finished second in a jump out on the home course before squeezing through late for third when debuting in the Maiden 3YO Fillies 1300 metres there on 5 September.
She then produced a strong effort for third in the Crown Oaks Preview 1800 metres on 22 September at Flemington, and was bet to microscopic odds ($1.40) for this assignment.
Drawn barrier one, with Blake Shinn aboard for the third consecutive time, Our Paramour negated a pocket to be outside the leader with 600m to travel and although not having everything her own way in the straight she nonetheless found plenty to draw away for a good win.
On footing rated Good4, Our Paramour ran the 2025 metres in 2:07.5.
“It was a really good win, in race one heading into a night meeting at Cranbourne, and a lovely ride of Blake Shinn’s,” said trainer Mark Walker.
“They’ve struck up a great association and the win will really get her confidence levels up, and we’re on target now for the $300,000 Wakefield Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) on Derby Day (2 Nov.) at Flemington, and then onto the VRC Oaks.
“She’s a filly that Dave (Ellis) and John (Galvin) bought for a really good price ($75,000) at the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, and it’s always great to get wins on the board for John and Jessica Galvin and the Fortuna Racing owners.
“They’ve been terrific supporters of the stable for many years, now, and they’re having a lot of luck in Australia at the moment which is great to see.
“She’s still learning and a little bit green, this filly, but been aided by lovely rides from Blake, and Ben (Gleeson) and the team have got all the horses going really well.”
All going well and safely through her next assignment, Our Paramour is scheduled to contest the $1m VRC Oaks (Gr. 1, 2500m) on Thursday 7 November at Flemington.
Our Paramour became the fourth winner from the last eight runners that Walker has lined-up in Victoria, including Fortuna Racing filly Bellatrix Star who won the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes on 27 September at Moonee Valley, after being successful in the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes over 1100m on 14 September at Flemington.
Our Paramour was purchased by David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing for $75,000 at the 2023 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, from the draft of Mapperley Stud. One of her owners, long time Te Akau and Fortuna supporter Carol Dunlop also had success back in 1979 with a filly in the Triple Crown, Brave Jeannie, which in those days was the Guineas, Wakefield, and Oaks.
Our Paramour is by Mapperley Stud stallion Contributer (High Chaparral), who had the misfortune to die in September this year.
Australian Middle Distance Horse of the Year, Contributer (High Chaparral) was a dual Group One winner in the Chipping Norton (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Ranvet Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m), and Champion Second Season Sire in New Zealand.
From his first crop, David Ellis purchased subsequent Group One winner Campionessa, whose 11 wins have earned over $1.3m in prize money.
Our Paramour is the year younger sister to talented galloper Smokeshow (Contributer), a winner over 1400 metres at Matamata, and their dam, Victory Parade, by American Champion Thoroughbred Street Sense (Street Cry), won twice to 1300 metres in Australia. She carries pedigree crosses in her bloodlines to Northern Dancer, Coup de Folie, and Kris.
Our Paramour was strapped by Abbey Reid.