Seajetz Superb

Horses for courses rang true on Sunday at Te Aroha, when winning the $30,000 Rating 74 1500 metres Seajetz (4 g Iffraaj - Bellazeel, by Zabeel) made it three from three at the picturesque venue.

Benefitting by the meeting change from Ellerslie, on Great Northern Day, Seajetz had previously won over 1400m and 1600 metres on the course and was good enough to record a notable effort for sixth in the Manawatu Classic (Gr. 3, 2000m) last season.

While his resuming run had been below expectations, he made amends with a steely front-running performance for rider Danielle Johnson who, in February at Te Aroha, notched her 1000^thcareer victory aboard stable-mate Feelin' Fancy (Rip Van Winkle).

“I was a little bit disappointed with his first-up run at Taupo, when remaining back, and we changed things around and tried to keep him on the fresh side,” said trainer Jamie Richards.

“We wanted to be positive from the barrier and as it worked out they were winning from near the pace.

“Danielle rode him well, pressing forward and managed to get a cheap sectional from the 1000m to the 600m where he got a breather. He found a good kick in the straight and was fairly willing.”

Owned by Bill and Sandra Duell, Seajetz was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $100,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Trelawney Stud.

“It was nice to get another win for the Duell's, who really support the stable and hopefully the horse will take plenty of confidence after winning again. He showed above average ability as a three-year-old and has now won three of his eight starts.”

In the race sponsored by Clean My Office Space, Seajetz ran the 1500 metres in 1:33.3 on Slow7 footing and while holding around $10 on the TAB tote he paid $12.00 & $3.80 fixed odds.

It was a cagey ride by Johnson, dictating terms in front, and evidenced skills that saw her reach 151 wins - 60 clear of second - in the jockey premiership last season. She rode 15 Group and Listed winners, overall strike rate of 5.4, including 60 wins for Te Akau in a dominant role alongside stable rider Opie Bosson.

Seajetz is by high-quality stallion Iffraaj (Zafonic), with 20 Group 1 winners and 139 stakes' winners worldwide. His dam Bellazeel (Zabeel) was a talented staying mare that impressed winning over 2100 metres, while grand-dam La Bella Dama (Desert Sun) has left six individual winners of 28 races and over NZ$2.5m prize money.

“He's a horse I bought out of the Book 1 Sale at Karaka,” Ellis said. “He's from a great farm at Trelawney, by a top international sire Iffraaj who is making a name for himself as a sire of sires, and being out of a Zabeel mare on the dam side of his pedigree is first-class.

“It was a really good ride by Danielle (Johnson) to button off through the mid stages and he had enough in reserve to hold them all out. It's not easy to do that and shows how, as a champion jockey from last season, she can outride them.

“Danielle rides plenty of work for us and we're very fortunate to have her as part of the team. I was also particularly thrilled for Sandra and Bill Duell who are great supporters of the stable.”

Given an already interrupted season with lockdowns, Ellis summed up the current situation.

“It feels as though we're still getting underway in the new season,” he said. “We had a very wet September, meaning the plough has not been in use for training at Matamata, but the team is working very hard and better weather and tracks should be just around the corner.

“I thought Troy (Harris) gave Prise De Fer a great ride for second in the Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Saturday at Hastings, and he should be a strong chance there next time in the Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m). He's a horse that won five in a row, including the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m), and his runs this time in have been very good.

“Noverre made up a lot of ground for second on Saturday at Riccarton, and if he keeps going the right way I think he could well measure up in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) there in November.

“We've got horses in Matamata, Christchurch, Sydney and Melbourne, and Te Akau is leading the Trainers' Premiership with our trainer Mark Walker in Singapore. We've got a lot to look forward to.”

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz