Season of Success: Drops of God Too Good

Drops Of God (Hello Youmzain – Distinctive Lass, by Orientate) confirmed herself one of the most exciting three-year-old fillies of the season when producing a dominant performance to win the $100,000 Group 3 Windsor Park Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (1200m) on 25 April at Te Rapa.

The victory completed a memorable treble on the programme for Te Akau and rewarded a filly whose form throughout the season had been consistently outstanding.

After impressively winning her first two starts, Drops Of God finished a close third in the Group 3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m), won by subsequent Sydney Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) heroine and stablemate Belle Cheval. She had also pleased connections in a stylish exhibition gallop leading into the race, suggesting she was ready for another big performance.

Although she had the ability to rate among the leading chances, the outside barrier (14) presented an obvious challenge.

Any concerns were quickly erased.

Displaying brilliant early speed, Drops Of God crossed effortlessly to lead before travelling comfortably throughout. When asked to quicken she simply put the race beyond doubt, extending clear in impressive fashion to defeat a quality field by two and a half lengths.

"We were pretty confident coming into the race based on her work," jockey Craig Grylls said.

"Full credit to Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson — they've got a top filly on their hands.

"I'm very thankful Te Akau continues to support me with rides on these quality horses and it's always rewarding to repay that faith."

The authority of the victory was reflected in her outstanding time of 1:09.7 for the 1200 metres, with a slick final 600 metres in 34.2 seconds. Well supported in betting, she justified favouritism by returning $3.90 and $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote.

Racing in the colours of Nearco Stud, Drops Of God was bred by Greg Tomlinson and is raced by Nearco Stud in partnership with Raptors Thoroughbreds.

She descends from one of the most successful families associated with Te Akau, being a half-sister to Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Kahma Lass (Darci Brahma), who was also purchased and trained by Te Akau, racing in the Cambridge Stud Colours of Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay.

The family has provided Te Akau with tremendous success over many years through the deeds of Kahma Lass, Distinctive Darci and Wairau Cove.

Sir David Ellis purchased Distinctive Darci for $100,000 from the draft of Nearco Stud at the Karaka yearling sale. After an eye-catching four-length trial victory at Te Aroha, the talented gelding later joined Mark Walker in Singapore, where he won 11 races, including at Group Two level, and earned more than NZ$1 million in prize money.

Ellis also selected Kahma Lass as a yearling, with the classy filly rewarding her owners by winning the New Zealand 1000 Guineas before adding another stakes' victory at Caulfield.

Te Akau also trained Wairau Cove, a three-time winner who was Group Three placed after an unlucky second in this very race.

Drops Of God's dam, Distinctive Lass, has produced an outstanding family. Along with Kahma Lass, she is also the dam of five-time stakes winner Kuro (Denman) and Australian seven-time winner Southern Lad (Ocean Park), while her 10 individual winners have combined for 39 victories.

The family carries an additional Te Akau connection through Champion Sire Darci Brahma, whom Sir David purchased as a yearling at Karaka. His cross with Distinctive Lass has proven exceptionally successful.

Further back in the pedigree, fourth dam Special (Habituate) was herself a champion racemare, winning 10 races including three Group One victories at Flemington - the Newmarket Handicap, Lightning Stakes and Gadsden Stakes. At stud she produced nine winners from 10 runners, while her female family has since generated 14 stakes' winners and eight additional stakes placegetters.

Now back in training at Matamata, Drops Of God is preparing for a jump-out and trial in August as connections look forward to another exciting campaign.

Previous Te Akau winners of the Group 3 Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (1200m):

2016 – Xtravagant (Pentire)

2012 – Burgundy (Redoute's Choice)

1998 – Te Akau Dancer (Lowell)