Plenty of Romance on Display

Group One winner Romancing The Moon (4 m El Roca – Underthemoonlight, by El Hermano) looked good during an exhibition gallop between races on Saturday at Matamata.

Preparing for the $120,000 Spring Sprint (Gr. 3, 1400m) next Saturday (14 October) at Hastings, Romancing The Moon worked keenly from the outset over 1000 metres, buttoned off on the bridle through the mid stages and looked good through the line.

Ridden by Kozzi Asano, on footing downgraded to Soft6, she clocked 1:03.8 for 1000 metres, last 600m in 37.6.

Last season, against a three-year-old crop for the ages, Romancing The Moon was one of the hardiest in commission: finishing runner-up in both the The O’Learys Fillies Stakes (Listed, 1200m) and Soliloquy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m), and fourth in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), she kept showing improvement after racing clear to win the NZB Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1400m), and ended her terrific campaign with victory over stable-mate and subsequent Group One winner Skew Wiff (Savabeel) in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m).

She was full of gusto when leading throughout to score fresh-up in the Rating 75 1100 metres on 15 September at Taupo, and appears to have tightened nicely in condition for her next assignment.

Owned by Te Akau Moonstruck Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Romancing The Moon was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $50,000 at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft Westbury Stud.

Following her resuming victory, Ellis said: “She was one of the real success stories last season and it’s great to see her resume with another win.

“She’s as tough as teak, loves the heat of battle, and has all the attributes of a good filly and mare. You can always guarantee she’ll try her heart out and that’s such a big help.”

Her sire El Roca, by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill), was a terrific racehorse, winning two stakes' races over 1200 metres and a strong Group performer that placed at Group One level. Still in his early days, Romancing The Moon became his second Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner following Travelling Light, among 15 stakes wins. 

Undermoonlight was an underrated mare, noted for her tenacious qualities, especially on yielding ground. She was a listed, Group Two, and Group Three winner to 1400 metres and Group One placed over 1400 metres.