Rotorua Double - Rue De Rivoli Rules

On song after winning the first race with stable-mate War Of Succession (Tavistock), Opie Bosson won the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1230 metres aboard Rue de Rivoli (3 f Tivaci – Boulevard, by Savabeel) on Sunday at Rotorua.

Garnering equal tote support as stable-mate Sense Of Timing (Time Test), who was denied a run after trailing under jockey Craig Grylls, Bosson again pulled the right rein which resulted in victory.

Rue de Rivoli, who raced once as a two-year-old after finishing strongly to win her first trial at Rotorua, had quickened well under a hand ride for second when trialling on 22 November at Taupo, and rated a top three chance from barrier five. 

Able to sit pat in midfield, biding his time behind race favourite McKenzie (Zacinto), Bosson presented Rue de Rivoli to challenge at an opportune time in the straight and she sustained a strong run to win. 

In the race sponsored by Arawa Park Hotel, Rue de Rivoli prevailed in a close finish by a head, running 1230 metres in 1:15.0 on Soft6 footing, and paid $4.70 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was a lovely ride of Opie’s and good effort by the filly,” said co-trainer Mark Walker. 

“She’s been a slower maturing type of filly, but this is the best condition we’ve seen her in preparing for this race and the team at the Main Barn have done a really good job with her.

“She paraded in excellent order and I think she’s a filly with the scope to keep improving.”

Owned by Te Akau 2022 Fillies' Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Rue de Rivoli was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $340,000 at the Karaka 2022 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud. 

From the third crop by Group One winner Tivaci (High Chaparral), an All Aged Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) winner at Randwick, with progeny selling to $500,000, his sire is world-class racehorse High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells), who in turn has become a hugely successful sire of sires. 

Her dam Boulevard is by eight-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), who, unsurprisingly, is making great inroads as a broodmare sire with winners at stakes and group level. 

Grand-dam Hollywood won three times to 1800 metres, by another top Waikato Stud sire and broodmare sire Pins (Snippets). 

Third dam Glamour Puss, by quality sire Tale of the Cat (Storm Cat), was a dual Group One winner and Third Top Filly on the Australasian 4YO Classification.

“We only gave her one start as a two-year-old and it’s exciting to see her come out and win fresh-up at three,” Ellis said.

“She’s still a long way from being the finished article, but no doubt she’ll keep improving as she matures.

“She’s from a deep Waikato Stud family, has a beautiful pedigree, and the goal will be to see if she can get through the grades and compete in stakes races in order to cement her commercial appeal as a broodmare.

“I think she beat a pretty handy field today, and should gain plenty of confidence from it.”

Overall a very solid family, Rue de Rivoli carries a simple cross of legendary sire Sir Tristram (Sir Ivor). 

“I also want to commend the staff, here at the farm (Te Akau Stud) and at the stables in Matamata and Riccarton,” Ellis added.

“We’ve had horses racing in New Zealand the last few days at Christchurch, New Plymouth, Wellington, and Rotorua, and I’m just so proud and grateful of the job all our team is doing.

“We’ve had six wins at those meetings so far, and we are absolutely in for a busy time over Christmas and New Year.”

Rue de Rivoli was strapped by Tamweer Alam. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz