Romantic Lady You Ripper

Perfectly poised going to the start, Romantic Lady  (3 f Power - Romantic Time, by Fastnet Rock) went on for a very good victory in the $10,000 Sunrans Spa Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 7 November at Otaki.

Aided by a cunning ride by Rosie Myers, who was successful recently on stable-mates Pokuru's Gift (Rock ‘n' Pop) and Vino Bella (Burgundy) at Tauherenikau, Romantic Lady was able snooker a favoured rival in the trail around the home turn and kept going strongly after challenging to lead at the 250 metres.

“The race suited her and she won well,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “Although looking for a bit more give in the ground, it was good for her to win like that and it was a nice ride by Rosie (Myers).

“The owners have allowed us to be patient with her. We were biding our time and good to see her get a result. She has the pedigree and enough about her to suggest she can win more races.”

Justifying her support ($2.20 & $1.50), Romantic Lady had trialled solidly before presenting well and racing accordingly when third on debut and freshened following a subsequent second in August at Ruakaka. She was ready to go after a quiet trial on 23 October at Te Teko, and broke through at her third start for owners Sir Patrick Hogan, John Aubrey, Richard Johnstone, Michael Macky, James Montgomerie, and Warwick Taylor.

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $92,500 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, Romantic Lady is the first foal of a race winning filly over 1250 metres in Sydney, by Champion sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill). 

“It's always a thrill to train a winner in Sir Patrick's colours,” Ellis said. “Jamie (Richards) gave her a let up after she'd had a third and a second and she's come on to win first-up. She was perfectly placed to win and I call that very good training.

“Rosie (Myers) has an excellent record on the Te Akau horses and she's such an accomplished and thinking rider. She rode a winner on Melbourne Cup Day at Ellerslie, and she's in great form.”

Romantic Lady carries a beautifully balanced Danzig cross through her sire-lines.

She was strapped by Ashley Handley. 

Handley, who helped look after the team recently in Sydney, took two horses south to Otaki, and following victory in the first race, Vino Bella (mentioned above) was given a gorgeous ride by Rosie Myers only to be snared by a nose on the line and finish second.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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