Qali All Quality

Converting what appeared to be a good thing, Qali Al Farrasha (3 f Almanzor – Nucleonic, by Burgundy) easily won the $25,000 Wexford Stables Maiden 3YO 1600 metres on 7 February at Matamata.

Having done well for second in the Maiden 1400 metres on 10 January and then running the fastest last 600m (35.6) for a close third in the Maiden 1600 metres on 24 January, both at Matamata, Qali Al Farrasha presented as a top three chance with luck from a wide draw.

With stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM aboard, she jumped well from barrier 13 before steadying for cover in eighth position, was six lengths off the leaders at the 600m, ranged up three wide turning for home, and sprinted clear to win easing down by four lengths. 

“I was caught a bit wide, got cover briefly, but she showed a really good turn of foot and she’s a nice filly,” said Bosson, on dismounting.

It was the 105th win for the premiership leading training partners Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, including 21 stakes' wins (16 NZ & 5 Aust.), coming at a lower strike rate (5.3) than last season when the stable set a record 203 domestic wins.

On Good4 footing, Qali Al Farrasha ran 1600 metres in 1:35.5, last 600m in 34.5 and the modicum of substantial support she shortened from $3.50 fixed to pay $2.10 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

“She looks a nice staying filly in the making, she's from a classy family, and we just love the progeny of Almanzor and have always been a strong believer in the stallion,” Walker said.

“Once she gets to the Lowland Stakes, I think she’ll show her staying ability and it looks like she’ll measure up to Group racing.

“She was building nicely to that win today, has a bit of race experience now, and it was a lovely ride of Opie’s.”

Qali Al Farrasha will now prepare for the $150,000 Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) on Wednesday 28 February at Hastings. 

Te Akau first won the Lowland Stakes with New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago), while another Filly of the Year, Self Obsession (Shocking), who tied for honours with stable-mate Belle En Rouge (Burgundy), won the race in 2022. 

Bred and owned by David Ellis CNZM and David Peacocke (Weston Lea Bloodstock), her Te Akau trained dam, Nucleonic (Burgundy), impressed winning on debut over 1200 as a two-year-old, while grand-dam Mexican Rose (Volksraad) was Champion 2YO and Champion 3YO in Singapore, having first impressed winning two of her three starts in New Zealand.

“Greg Tomlinson (Nearco Stud) and I bought Mexican Rose,” Ellis said. “We sold two O’Reilly colts out of her for good money and her weanling topped the sale in 2016.

“She was pretty smart, Nucleonic, and this is her second foal, so it’s great to get a promising filly like this early in the mare's breeding career. 

“The Peacocke family has had a lot of success with Te Akau, racing Avantage among others, and has a long family involvement in racing.”

Following the purchase of about 40 yearlings in January from the Gold Coast and Karaka, Ellis has been busy with farm inspections and selling shares.

“We’ve had people booked each in during each day to come and see the yearlings in the paddocks at Te Akau Stud,” he said.

“We’ve bought a lot of nice horses and it’s just so good going around the farm each day and showing them to people that are interested in getting involved at such a buoyant time for the New Zealand racing industry.

“I must say I love the (Lot 601) Almanzor – Bavella (Snitzel) filly that I bought at Karaka, from Cambridge Stud. She just looks a ready-made racehorse, to me.

“People love coming out and having a look at the horses, they really do. They love going around the farm and seeing all the yearlings and other farm stock, and I love showing them what we’ve got out here, it's a beautiful part of the world and perfect for the horses.”

Qali Al Farrasha was strapped by Lauren Russo.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz