Te Akau Taupo Treble - Egyptian Queen Rules

Making amends for misfortune, Egyptian Queen (3 f Zoustar – Hieroglyphics, by Conatus) won the $18,500 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres (eligible $20,000 bonus) in no uncertain terms on 9 November at Taupo.

Displaying natural precocity from the outset, Egyptian Queen ran fastest last 600m (33.5) when beaten a head on debut and also produced a top run for second to stakes' placed, dual winner Oneira (Contributer) last season. She ran on strongly for second after being slowly away when resuming in the Maiden 1200 metres on 18 October at Tauranga, and rated a strong top three chance.

Adding the Pearl Series' Bonus made victory sweeter for owners in the Te Akau She Reigns Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), and following three seconds from five starts, she now deservedly has a win to her name - one we always knew was coming at short notice.

There was no mistake at the start on this occasion as jockey Michael McNab had her in front from the outset and she whistled away in the straight to win easing down by four and a quarter lengths. 

On Soft6 footing, she ran 1200 metres in 1:12.6 and as dominant favourite returned $1.70 & $1.20 on the NZ TAB tote.

“She’s always shown plenty of promise, has been unlucky, and it's good to get that elusive win today,” said co-trainer Mark Walker.

“We think she’s up to black type and she’ll head to Wanganui on 2 December for the O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (Listed, 1340m).

“She was a beautiful yearling and we think she’ll take a lot of confidence out of that win and has plenty of improvement to come.

“If we can earn some black type, she’s got a lovely pedigree to go with it.”

After winning six of nine starts, including two Group One and Group Two, her sire Zoustar became one of the most sought after stallions in Australia, following the premature demise of his sire Northern Meteor (Encosta De Lago), the Champion First Season Sire.

In turn, Zoustar was Champion First, Second and Third Season Sire. 

Zoustar was sold to stud for A$14 million in the week leading up to his victory in Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) at Flemington, which provided jockey Jim Cassidy with his 100^th Group One winner. Cassidy claimed Zoustar to be “a better three-year-old than Redoute’s Choice and more brilliant than Pierro”.

Her dam Hieroglyphics won four sprint races in Sydney. Her sire Conatus, by super sire Danehill, was a fast horse and is doing a good job as a broodmare sire. 

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM bought Egyptian Queen at the Karaka 2022 Book 1 Sale, paying $220,000 to secure her from the draft of Westbury Stud. 

At the time of purchase he said:  “She’s a really nice running style of filly and a get up and go sort.

“She’s a beautiful loose walker, has the physical scope to train on as a three-year-old, and a lot of substance and quality about her. She’s all class.”

The filly carries a Danehill cross through dam line of Zoustar and sire line of the dam.

Egyptian Queen was strapped by Sophie-Ann Clayton.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz