Te Akau Triple Saturday - Perfect Back to Back Group 3's

Given a super ride, Perfect Scenario (6 g Iffraaj – Rosetti Bay, by Pins) defended his title in the $120,000 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (Gr. 3, 1600m) on Saturday at Wingatui.

After running fastest last 600m (34.1) on day when winning the Open Handicap 1400 metres on 13 January, in a perfect lead-up performance, Perfect Scenario rated a top three chance from barrier five, having come from last with a devastating finish to win the corresponding event last year.

After winning the previous race on stable-mate Kith ‘n’ Kin (Almanzor), stable apprentice Niranjan Parmar remained in the zone with another top ride.

Ideally spotted in fourth, Perfect Scenario cruised into contention approaching the home turn and gathered in the leaders with a strong and well-timed finish in centre track.

On Soft7 footing, which he had shown to handle previously, Perfect Scenario ran 1600 metres in 1:38.0 and drifted in betting to pay $5.10 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote.

On course at Wingatui, co-trainer Sam Bergerson said: “It’s hugely satisfying to see him go back-to-back in this race and he’s just a marvel to have around the stables. 

“He’s a gem and a stable favourite of everyone’s. He just plods around, goes about his business, and loves stable life.

“Massive thank you to the team at home (Matamata), and especially Hunter (Durrant) and the team down here, because he’s grown a leg since he’s been at Riccarton and they’re putting in the hard yards.

“The key was probably getting him to the outside, in the better part of the track, but a really genuine horse and he puts his best foot forward every time he goes out there. 

“It was a fantastic ride by Parmar. He’s a massive part of the team, so great to see him getting rewarded with a stakes win.”

Looking after the team at New Plymouth, Mark Walker added: “It was a good intelligent ride of Parmar’s, held him up at the right time, got the outside strip of ground, and the horse is just in such great form.

“It’s fantastic for him to win the White Robe twice now and I wish they had more Group races like that at Wingatui, because he absolutely loves the course. 

“Hunter (Durrant) has got him really flying and it’s not easy keeping these older horses sound, but they’re doing a fantastic job with him.”

Perfect Scenario was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $165,000 at 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Woburn Farm, for owners in the Te Akau Perfection Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“It’s very exciting to see this horse win such a prestigious race two years running and congratulations to the owners, who have enjoyed so many thrills winning nine races so far,” Ellis said.

“He won very well under a big weight fresh-up at Riccarton, and might be even a little bit better and stronger this season, as a six-year-old, than he was last year.

“He was bred by Liz Pollard and Gloria Graydon and they’re a couple of really good breeders from Te Awamutu, and Liz’s father, Joe Pollard, was also a good breeder. That family has consistently bred good horses for the last 50 years.

“We’ve had a fantastic day, three wins including two Group races, plus stakes placed horses in Group races, so we could not be happier.

“Perfect Scenario added to the Group Three win by Captured By Love at New Plymouth, and we were thrilled to see the homebred mare Elegant Lady run so well for second in the Dunedin Gold Cup (Listed, 2400m).

“Mark, Sam, and Reece are doing a great job placing the horses in races where they have the best chance of winning and the horses are racing so well.

“He was fourth in the Group One mile at Otaki after he won this race last year and he’s shown just what a good horse he is with nine wins in total.

“He won very well last start there on the course at Wingatui, and it’s a great training effort by Mark, Sam, and Hunter, to have him peaking at the right time.

“It’s a big thrill to be winning these good races at this time of the year, especially after buying nearly 40 yearlings in January from the Gold Coast and Karaka, and Karyn (Fenton-Ellis MNZM) has been flat stick selling shares and the phone doesn’t stop ringing with enquiries.

“We’ve got existing and new owners that want to be part of the team and now that we’ve got bases at Riccarton, and new stables in Melbourne, it’s a very exciting time for everyone involved. 

“It means a lot of work for everyone, but we’ve got a great bunch of staff that gives it their utmost and we cannot ask for more than that.”

By high-quality international stallion Iffraaj (Zafonic), dam Rosetti Bay (Pins) was an impressive Group Three winner and multiple group placed mare that won eight races and in addition to Perfect Scenario she had already left very good stakes winning mare Queens Rose (O’Reilly), who also won eight times. 

Rosetti Bay was a very good race mare, with class and quality and, similarly, she too displayed a great turn of foot. Perfect Scenario has been sparingly raced to win nine times, over $350,000 in prize money, and continues to produce excellent form.

Perfect Scenario was strapped by Tayla-Jo Melvin.