Saturday Triple Treat - Win 1 Romancing the Moon

Stakes' placed filly Romancing The Moon(3 f El Roca - Underthemoonlight, by El Hermano) recorded a richly deserved victory in the $15,000 Mitre 10 Maiden 1400 metres on Saturday at Matamata.

She looked good winning both trials before finishing fourth on debut in the 3YO Fillies 1100 metres at Taupo, was a very game second in The O'Learys Fillies Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Wanganui, and fought hard after leading for second to stable-mate Zantabulous (Almanzor) in the Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 mares on 21 September at Matamata.

An on-pace runner, Romancing The Moon was tackled in front throughout by Carter Russell (Dalghar) yet still managed to quicken clear on straightening under jockey Craig Grylls and maintained a strong gallop to win by three and a half lengths.

“She travelled too good and found a really good kick,” Grylls said. “She appreciated a better track and was able to ping off it today.

“All her other form was on wet ground, but she handled the better track too.”

On Soft6 footing, Romancing The Moon ran 1400 metres in 1:23.7, last 600m 35.4, and shortened in betting to pay $2.90 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote.

After saddling the first four including second placed Elounda (Contributer), Fay Khan It (Mongolian Khan) in third and She's Outrageous (Reliable Man) fourth, trainer Mark Walker said: “She's been knocking on the door and it was good to see her on a better track.

“She's actually still (nominated) in the 1000 Guineas, so we'll go to the Soliloquy Stakes (22 Oct. Te Rapa), and we'll regroup after that.

“She's a good, tough sort of breed, and Hamish and Karyn McQuade sold her as a yearling, so good for their broodmare as well.”

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.

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “She's out of a very good mare, a tidy package for a first foal, and very good value.

“We think she slipped under the radar late in the sale on the first day, and we were only too pleased to secure her.

“She's a nice type, correct, walks well, and looks like she'll make into a racehorse.”

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 Group One placed. In his early days at stud he has already sired Group One winning Travelling Light who scored in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) and horses to win 12 stakes' races.

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

Romancing The Moon is currently $21.00 fixed odds for the $400,000 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on New Zealand Cup Day (12 November) at Riccarton.

Romancing The Moon was strapped by Olivia Hill.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz