Star of Bombay Sparkles

“Go baby”, was the call from excited owners as Star of Bombay (3 f Atlante - Astardia, by Starcraft) put her rivals away in the $10,000 Randal Judd Memorial Maiden 1200 metres on Cambridge Jockey Club Summer Race Day (Nov. 24) at Te Rapa.

Owned by the Te Akau Bombay Star Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Star of Bombay was purchased by David Ellis for $50,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, and broke through at just her second start.

Backed into favouritism ($3.10 & $1.40) on the strength of a nose margin defeat, when claimed on the line in a fast final 600 metres (34.7) over 1200 metres on 6 November at Avondale, Star of Bombay positioned outside the leader, quickened to lead at the 200m when rider Craig Grylls asked her to extend and came clear to win easing down by four lengths.

Franking her smart sectional on debut, Star of Bombay ran the 1200 metres in 1:09.8, last 600m in 34.1, on ideal Dead4 footing.

“She's a nice filly and it was a good ride to pick up,” Grylls said. “The leader had me off the bridle turning in, but she picked it up pretty easily. She let down really well and it was good win. She's probably improved for her run at Avondale.” 

By 2000 Guineas' (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Atlante (Fastnet Rock), Second Top Colt on the NZ 3YO Free Handicap, Star of Bombay is the first foal of a Starcraft (Soviet Star) mare that won over 1600 metres.

“She was a bit unlucky to be rolled first-up,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “We had her nominated at a few different places, trying to get a draw, and decided this was the right race. 

“She was able to sneak over, not do too much work and once near the pace I thought she'd be very hard to beat. She kicked away late and put a gap on them to show that she's above average. 

“The owners have been patient with her. She's always shown ability, but lacked a bit of strength and didn't really enjoy the soft tracks in the early part of the spring.

“We'll see how she does, but we might give her a few days off to freshen-up and I think there could be a nice race in her if we take things along quietly.”

Accepting on behalf of the owners, majority shareholder John Elstob said: “We have quite a few first time horse owners in the syndicate. It's very exciting and Jamie (Richards) had the horse looking spot on.” 

“John and Denise are two of Te Akau's best clients and they've got their family and friends involved in this horse, together with good friends Glenn and Cathie Holmes,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “We're thrilled to have another good horse for them because they're all such good supporters. 

“John and Denise and Glenn and Cathie are very good friends of ours and an important part of Te Akau Racing. John puts back into racing in many different ways. He sponsors the starting stalls at Te Rapa. The crew at the start all carry his company logo (SVS Veterinary Supplies) and it's great to see him put so much in. Not just with horses, but he's also a well-known administrator on the Board of the Waikato Racing Club as is Glenn and they are doing a fantastic job.”

"Also special is that Kate Belsham who strapped the filly today got her grandparents involved with her straight after the sale, so well done Kate and Ian and Jane."

Reflecting on the 2018 Ready to Run Sale, Star of Bombay breezed up in the top 10% of times (10.54) and impressed Ellis, who was again in good buying form at the Ready to Run Sale last week.

“She impressed us as a really athletic filly with a lovely walk and her breeze-up was very good,” Ellis said. “It's starting to look like Atlante is going to be a real loss to our breeding industry”

Unfortunately, Atlante had his stallion career curtailed by a fatal accident during his second season at stud.

“It's not very often you see a three-year-old filly come out and win a Maiden race by four lengths,” Ellis said. “We bought this filly at the Ready to Run Sale and it looks like she could progress through to stakes' races.

“It was Jamie's 37^thwin this season (leading premiership) and the horses have won just under a million in prize money thus far. He's got a good strike rate (5.9) and now the weather and tracks are more consistent the team should continue to fire.

“Karyn and I have spent the weekend selling shares in horses from the Ready to Run Sale and they're selling quickly. We've been thrilled with the amount of interest we're getting. 

“Star of Bombay is a great example of the sort of horse you can buy at the Ready to Run Sale, and the New Zealand sale is the most successful statistically of its type, by a huge margin, in the Southern Hemisphere. For example, the NZ sale has left 18 Group One winners in the last six years, compared to one combined with the two breeze-up sales in Australia. 

“So, it's a sale that really good horses have come from and we think we've bought the horses that we wanted to train. We're rapt. They're all home on the farm, now, and we couldn't be happier with what we bought. 

“It's a great time to buy your wife or your husband or partner a Christmas present, by taking a small share in a horse that we've bought. And who knows, you might have the next Te Akau Shark or the next Gingernuts or Star of Bombay.”

Star of Bombay was strapped by Kate Belsham.

Race photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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