Red Poppy Romps Home

Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM and her fellow owners in the Te Akau Red Poppy Syndicate had great reason for celebration after Red Poppy (3 f Iffraaj - Newgrange, by O'Reilly) recorded a super debut victory in the West End Bowling Maiden 1100 metres on 4 Decemeber at New Plymouth.

Purchased by Te Akau principal, and syndicate manager, David Ellis for $45,000 at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale (from the draft of Phoenix Park) Red Poppy, weighing an imposing 576kgs, exhibited a potent combination of strength, size and speed.

With early dash to find a position outside the leader, Red Poppy quickened to challenge on straightening, found a length when jockey Matt Cameron asked her to extend and proceeded to put her rivals away with a well-balanced, strong, gallop.

On Good3 footing, Red Poppy ran the 1100 metres in 1:04.6 and won easing down by two and a quarter lengths. She paid $7.90 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB.

“She's a beautiful big filly with very genuine attributes and she has the breeding to run a lot further,” said co-trainer Stephen Autridge.

From the family of The Lions Roar (Western Symphony), a joint top filly on the 1995-96 NZ Free Handicaps, who won the Championship Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) and finished second in the NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m), and her daughter Growl (Montjeu), winner of the Herbert Power Stakes (Gr. 2, 2400m) and $1 million in stakes, indicates Red Poppy has a lot to look forward to over more distance.

Jockey Matt Cameron suggested that the ride suited a sprint trip, but in future she would be likely to settle off the pace.

“It was probably not the way you want to ride them in a race, but you make do with the situation and do what you have to do in order to get the win,” said Cameron.

“She's a lovely filly with a beautiful stride, so 1400 metres and let find her feet to relax she should get over them again."

Co-trainer Jamie Richards summed up the performance: “I thought it was a lovely win. She was positive from the gate, got over, and although a bit green around the corner she finished it off strongly.

“She's another filly that Dave (Ellis) bought from Karaka, and they are a great bunch of owners in the horse. A couple of them are here and I think they'll have a great day."

Picture credit - www.raceimages.co.nz