Self Obsession Super

Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards began Friday in style at Tauranga, securing quinella in $15,000 Maiden 1600 metres when Self Obsession (3 f Shocking - Mawaakib, by O'Reilly) defeated another three-year-old filly Trieste (Tivaci).

Debuting in Maiden 1400 metres on 24 November at Tauranga, Self Obsession worked up outside the leader before finishing third. She appreciated stepping up to a mile, and it was evident in the preliminary that she had taken the necessary improvement.

Jockey Michael McNab stuck with the ship, following similar tactics to press forward outside the leader. After enjoying a comfortable tempo she put the slipper in nearing home turn and sustained an increasingly strong gallop to win by three and a half lengths.

Meanwhile Trieste, who received a soft trip behind the leaders, sighted daylight at the 400m and finished boldly for second. It was good effort by both fillies, but by the winner in particular.

“She's a nice big staying type of filly that has improved with time and maturity,” said trainer Jamie Richards, who explained how it came about that Te Akau trains the filly for owner/breeder David Price, who is based in Hong Kong.

“She arrived in the stable after Danny Rolston (NZB Sales' Manager) and I were up in Hong Kong about two or three years ago, and Danny introduced me to David Price at a luncheon.

“He started with a couple of home-breds, with probably around five now, between horses that are getting ready to be traded to Hong Kong, and horses he's bred himself.

“I liked the way she put a space on them turning for home and she's a filly that's open to more improvement. She was able to put some pressure on from the 600m and kept up a strong gallop.

“There's some nice staying races coming up for her and we'll see what looks most suitable in the next two or three weeks.

“It was a good effort by Hunter (Durrant) and Laura (McNab), as well as Amit (Gujar), who rides her in the majority of her work, at the Uni Barn, and she stripped looking a picture.”

In the race sponsored by Super Liquor Greerton, Self Obsession ran 1600 metres in 1:37.0 on Good3 footing, and returned $5.20 & $2.10 on NZ TAB tote.

By Shocking (Street Cry), the sire of 21 stakes' winners including two at Group 1 level, Self Obsession is out of unraced O'Reilly (Last Tycoon) mare Mawaakib, in turn from talented race mare My Hangover (My Halo). The winner of five races to 1400 metres, she was placed at Group 2, Group 3 and Listed levels.

Self Obsession carries a bloodline cross of champion sires Halo and Northern Dancer.

“I'm a massive fan of Shocking, and hold a share in him and I cannot believe he is not over subscribed every season,” said owner/breeder David Price, from Hong Kong.

“There is never a year without black type Shocking performers and I'm thrilled that we may have bred our own quality performer.

“I am also over the moon to have linked up with Jamie Richards. I had the pleasure of meeting him in Hong Kong and was always keen to have a toe in the stable.  I'm looking forward to what comes next.”

Self Obsession was strapped by Amit Gujar, the most recent winner of the Te Akau Team Member of the Quarter Award.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz