Soprano Supreme Hits Winning Heights

Impressive last start course winner Soprano Supreme (4 m Contributer - Falsetto, by Zabeel) had no trouble stepping up in grade when winning the $30,000 Campbell Infrastructure Rating 74 2200 metres on Saturday at Rotorua.

After sailing away to win easing down by three and a half lengths in a Rating 65 1950 metres on 3 March at Rotorua, Soprano Supreme was given time (37 days) between races and won as a favourite should.

From fifth, she surged between runners approaching the 400m and quickened clear in the straight to win effortlessly by two and a half lengths.

“She was going to win a long way out,” Bosson said. “She relaxed beautifully, got into a nice position and I was quite confident from the winning post the first time around.

“I had the horse underneath me, gave her one backhander, and she'll be a nice staying mare next year.”

On good footing, Soprano Supreme ran 2200 metres in 2:16.1, last 600m in 35.3, and diminished in betting to pay $1.60 & $1.10.

“It was a really good win and she's a progressive mare,” said Mark Walker, who celebrated resuming as Te Akau New Zealand trainer last Saturday with dual Group wins with Maven Belle (Burgundy) in the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) and Amalfi Prince (Sebring) in the Manawatu Classic (Gr. 3, 2000m).

“David (Ellis) bought her quite cheaply at Karaka, she's from a Zabeel mare, and she looks a Cups' quality mare next season with a bit more maturity on her. A race like the Waikato Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) could be a good target.”

In the interim, Walker suggested Soprano Supreme could keep a good thing going by returning for the $85,000 Rotorua Cup (Gr. 3, 2200m) on 14 May.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Syndications for $62,500 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Te Runga Stud, Soprano Supreme is from the first crop of Champion Australian Middle Distance Horse of the Year Contributer (High Chaparral), the dual Group 1 winner of the Chipping Norton (Gr. 1, 1600m) and the Ranvet Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m).

His dam Falsetto, by legendary stallion Zabeel (Sir Tristram), was an impressive three time winner from 1600m - 2100m and placed in a NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m).

Soprano Supreme carries a pedigree cross of the immortal stallion Northern Dancer.

John Galvin said: “She's taken a while to mature and get cracking, but she has hit her straps winning three of her last four.

“Well done to the ownership group, it's good to see those who came along on course, and we can look forward to seeing how this promising mare goes in the future.”

Victory continued the roll for Fortuna Syndications (Mgr: John Galvin), after wins in March by stable-mates Leaderboard (Street Cry) in New Zealand St Leger (Listed, 2600m) on Oaks' Day (19 Mar.) at Trentham, and more recently Ragamuffin (Belardo) cemented consecutive wins.

Soprano Supreme was strapped Amit Gujar.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz