Six Win Saturday - Win No.5 Festivity

Festivity  (4 m I Am Invincible - Mabsam, by Stratum) made it four out of five when hurtling home to snare victory in the $27,500 Devan Plastics Rating 74 1200 metres on Saturday at Tauranga.

Easy off a wide gate (12) and standing the leader a conservative 10-length margin at the 600m - with O'Charm (O'Reilly) setting a merry bat in front - Festivity was angled clear approaching the 200m by rider Vinnie Colgan and powered up for a last stride win. 

It was heart in the mouth stuff and further evidence of how good she is. Impressive winning both her starts before spelling in January, Festivity made it three from three when resuming with a nose margin victory over stable-mate Pinultimate (Pins) in the Rating 74 1200 metres on 3 October at Hastings, only to be beaten a nose in the Rating 74 1200 metres on 24 October at Te Rapa. 

While trainer Jamie Richards was concerned about the wide draw, he also knew her capabilities and made the right decision in electing to start.

“It was a good win and big effort to win from back there,” he said. “I was a little bit disappointed that she wasn't able to get past Madam Hass (Per Incanto) last start, after riding her a little bit close to the speed with the visor blinkers on, so we took them off, wanted to ride her back a bit and get her finding the line.

“That might be the way to ride her and we could look at getting up to 1400 metres with her now. It's all worked out really well and a good effort by the team at the Middle Barn that look after her. We certainly think she's a filly that can get through to stakes' races and her record to date suggests that too.”

On footing that upgraded during the day from Dead6 to Dead4, Festivity ran the 1200 metres in 1:11.1, running the 600m in about 33.6, and as race favourite she paid $2.40 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB.

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM outlaid $410,000 for Festivity at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale and she is owned by the Te Akau 2018 Fabulous Fillies' Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“I was really pleased for the syndicate that own her,” Ellis said. “She was a nose away from winning all five starts and she's destined for the top, I think. 

“She's a filly we bought at the sales from Windsor Park Stud, one of the best stud farms in New Zealand. We've had terrific success buying from their farm and it's brilliantly run by Rodney Schick and his team. 

“He's pretty cool, Vinnie (Colgan), and he assessed the pace perfectly. They were going quite hard in front and he was happy to sit back and be patient. Vinnie started his apprenticeship with Te Akau. It was a beautiful ride and shows he's back in the zone.”

Progeny by Leading Australian Sire (wins) I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), standing for $209,000, have been incredibly well sought after. His yearlings have sold for $2 million, $1.9m, $1.7m, $1.45m, and averaged over $400,000 last year. Mabsam was a debut winner over 1000 metres, winning to a mile, by a Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winning son of Redoute's Choice, Stratum, and her three progeny to race have all won (12 wins in total).

Festivity was strapped by Hunter Durrant.  

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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