Taupo Double - Loving This

Having shown a liking for the course, Captured By Love (4 m Written Tycoon – Moldova, by Snitzel) did the job nicely when winning the $25,000 Rabobank Cup (Open Handicap, 1400 metres) on 22 February at Taupo.

The Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner last season, Captured By Love returned to her best when winning the Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) during Cup Week in November at Riccarton, and trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson gave her two exhibition gallops since contesting the Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) in December at Te Rapa.

A high-class filly and mare in any language, Captured By Love was finalist for Champion Two-Year-Old and Champion Three-Year-Old, after winning the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), Group 3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m), and Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). She was also being twice Group One placed as a two-year-old, claimed the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) and was placed in three other Group races as a three-year-old.

With stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM aboard, Captured By Love began well to sit second, steadied for cover at the 800m, and after ranging to challenge on straightening she required minimal urging to draw out over the concluding stages.

On Good4 footing, Captured By Love ran 1400 metres in 1:25.1, last 600m in 34.0 (approx.), and paid $3.00 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a good ride of Opie’s and really good to see her back in the winner’s circle,” Walker said.

“Back left-handed, on a good surface, is her preferred conditions, and the way she won should give her plenty of confidence.

“She’s been in really good order in recent times, everyone has played their part in getting her back to her best, and we look forward to her next start.”

Walker suggested that Captured By Love would now be prepared to contest the $600,000 Group 1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) on Saturday 28 March at Trentham.

Owned by the Te Akau 2023 Magic Fillies’ Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Captured By Love was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Milburn Creek.

Recording seven wins and placed six times from 18 starts, Captured By Love has prize money nearing $820,000.

By Victorian nine-time Champion Sire and sire of sires Written Tycoon (Iglesia), Captured By Love is out of a mare by Snitzel ((Redoute’s Choice), who topped the Australian General Sires’ List on four occasions and now making his mark as a broodmare sire of Group One winners, with the Written Tycoon/ Snitzel cross proving the most potent. 

Both sires are still highly ranked by winners in Australia, with Written Tycoon currently fourth on the General Sires’ List, and Snitzel third in the Broodmare Sire standings. 

Captured By Love was the first foal of Moldova, who won twice at 1100 metres in Australia, while the dam-line has mated tremendously with 10-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), including multiple stakes winner Savvy Nature, stakes winner Addictive Nature, and Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Hasahalo.

“She’s been a terrific filly and mare and I was thrilled to see her back winning like that for a great group of owners,” Ellis said.

“She’s always been pretty special, has a lovely nature, plenty of strength about her, and she’s a Group One winner with a great pedigree, so she’s becoming increasingly valuable.

“She won the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton, and let’s hope they get a good track for the Breeders' Stakes at the end of March at Trentham, and she should be very competitive again.

“Opie’s riding in good form, after getting his 100th Group One winner the other day at Te Rapa. He started as a young teenager at Te Akau and we’re very proud of what he’s achieved.

“After winning the last two races for us at Taupo, he rounded out a good weekend, with the Group Three yesterday on Belle Cheval (Savabeel) at Ellerslie, and that’s a great lead-up for her and the owners (Archer family) heading into the NZB Kiwi.

“It’s a really busy time of year for us, with all the top races taking place and after buying yearlings in New Zealand and Australia. We’ve had an incredible record with the yearlings we’ve bought from both countries, especially in the last 10 years, and we’ve got a beautiful lot of yearlings here at the farm (Te Akau Stud) for people to get involved in.

“The prize money is excellent in New Zealand, when it’s equated to costs, and I think with the impact that Entain has bought to the TAB and the overall racing industry we’re in a really good position.

“Mark (Walker), Sam (Bergerson), Reece (Trumper), Hunter (Durrant) and all the team are doing an incredible job, putting everything they have into it, and it’s very reassuring to both Karyn and I to have that sort dedication from our brilliant people.”

Captured By Love was strapped by Tayla Melvin.

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz