Spritz a Special at Avondale - Win 102

The second of Te Akau's mid week winners came with the very consistent filly Spritz who thoroughly deserved to break her maiden status on Wednesday at Avondale - the second of Te Akau trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards' two winners of the day ...

Spritz (3f Thorn Park - Spray) was rewarded for consistency when winning the $12,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares 1600m Maiden on 22 June at Avondale.

Breaking 'maidens' at start number seven, Spritz had raced four times for two seconds, a third and a fourth since resuming in April. The daughter of Thorn Park cost herself victory at Tauherenikau on 6 June where she tended to lay in for most of the straight before flashing home to be ultimately beaten by a nose.

Mindful of that, on Wednesday rider Matthew Cameron got her to the better part of the track turning for home and worked to ensure the filly ran straight down the centre of the Avondale straight to score a satisfying victory by two lengths.  It was Cameron's 143rd winner of the season, seven in arrears of Lisa Allpress in their hotly contested battle for season's jockey honours.

‘We were a little bit concerned with the wet track after the rain this morning but she is a half-sister to Corsage who enjoyed rain affect tracks, said co-trainer Jamie Richards, on "duty" with his partner Stephen Autridge enjoying a European break with his wife Lynley.

Both Te Akau principal David Ellis and Richards applauded Spritz's owners on their patience and it was great to see that being rewarded especially with the Pearl Series bonus attached to the race.

Ellis explained his satisfaction in the victory: “thirty-seven years ago I brought my first farm and my veterinarian on day one was Dr. John Southworth. We became very good friends as he was an owner-trainer and bred a few horses himself. That was 35 years ago so I am absolutely delighted that the first horse he took a share in with us has won and with a Pearl Series bonus attached."

"John's son Gilbert is the current Te Akau accountant and is a very good owner in his own right and he was a part owner in Spritz half-sister Corsage (Volksraad) with us, so it's a great family affair."  

"I am also delighted for her other owners too as they have been very patient with this filly and I think she has a promising new season ahead of her."

“The winning double today gave Stephen and Jamie their 102^nd winner for the season, putting them nine wins in front in the Trainers' Premiership with five and a half weeks remaining. To be in front in wins and Group and Listed races, and having won the most Group One races in New Zealand this season (4) is the mark of stable that is working well at all levels,” said Ellis.

Spritz is a daughter of Entrepreneur mare Spray - the dam of seven winners from eight foals to race including Group 1 performer Corsage who was purchased by David Ellis at Karaka for $25,000.  She won races when trained by Te Akau in both New Zealand and Singapore.

Her half sister Spritz is a graduate of the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka, where Ellis bought her for $50,000.

Spritz was strapped by Jasmine Fawcett.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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