Te Akau 5 Win Saturday - Caravella a Corker

Beautiful grey filly Caravella (3 f Caravaggio - Highland Lights, by Fantastic Light) won the SVS Starting Gates $15,000 Maiden 1200 metres on Saturday at Te Rapa.

Having her fourth start for the Te Akau Night Skies Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Caravella had led for home before tying up on Heavy10 in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 21 September at Matamata, won by subsequent winning stable-mate Wild Night (Vanbrugh), and she appreciated the better footing.

Given time (31 days) since racing at Matamata, Caravella was given a lovely trip in fifth by Michael McNab, travelled well at the 500m and displayed plenty of resolve after quickening to lead a furlong out.

On footing soon upgraded to Good4, Caravella ran 1200 metres in 1:11.4, last 600m in 35, and shortened in betting to pay $9.50 & $2.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was good to get a win with her today and she's improving all the time,” said trainer Mark Walker, on course at Riccarton.

“The better track conditions really helped and it was a lovely ride by Michael McNab.”

By Caravaggio (Scat Daddy), a fast racehorse, winning four times as a two-year-old, and Joint Champion 3YO Sprinter in Ireland, Caravella is from a mare that produced former stable-mate Our Abbadean (Lookin at Lucky), a dual Group Two winner and twice Group One placed, including the Travis Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) at Te Rapa.

Caravella was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $115,000 at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Wentwood Grange, who bred and owned Our Abbadean.

The race was sponsored by SVS Veterinary Supplies, owned by Waikato Racing Club Chairman John Elstob.

“It's quite incredible what John (Elstob) and his company is doing for racing,” Ellis said. “It doesn't go unnoticed and it's greatly appreciated by so many people.

“It's a thrill to win a race that you're involved in, whether you own the horse or sponsor the race, and congratulations to your club for putting on such a beautiful track.

“Also, congratulations to the owners in this filly. We can't do this without your support and you are the most important people in the whole industry.”

Te Akau racing manager Reece Trumper said: “She's a really nice filly, with a lot of improvement still to come. She's in the Little Barn with 12 horses that is run by Tracy Collis, previously run by Ashley Handley and she did a majority of the work with her and did a great job.

“This filly is a pleasure to have around the barn, no hassle, and everyone loves her.”

Caravella was strapped by Laura Macnab.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz