Te Rapa Triple Treat - Amarelinha Grp 2 No.2

In similar circumstances, Amarelinha  (3 f Savabeel - Hopscotch, by O'Reilly) may follow the Derby path of Te Akau hero Gingernuts (Iffraaj) after her exceptional victory in the $100,000 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) on Legends Day at Te Rapa.

Neither triple Group One winner Gingernuts, who won in 2017, or Amarelinha were nominated for the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) but such is their comparable sudden rise that the imposing filly could find herself racing for $1m in the staying classic on 6 March at Ellerslie.

“We'll have a team talk about that,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “Mark (Walker) has won a New Zealand Oaks, with Princess Coup doing the job in the tangerine, but there is plenty to think about in the next couple of days and I reckon our team talk on Monday might be a bit longer than it normally is.”

Bookmakers have certainly covered their bases, dropping Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) winning filly Tokorangi (Redwood) into $6.00 equal third favourite for the Derby, and with lack of star performers among the boys, paid late entry by the connections of Amarelinha would almost surely see her start favourite.

“She's a really exciting filly and one we've held in very high regard right from the time David (Ellis) bought her as a yearling at Karaka,” Richards said.

“She reminded us of Probabeel (Savabeel), didn't race as a two-year-old, mainly due to Covid lockdown at the back end of the season, but she has more than made up for it.”

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $300,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, she is owned by the Te Akau Hopskip'n'jump Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), and certainly fitting, after winning the Eight Carat Classic (Group 2, 1600m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, that she won the race for the sponsors.

“We decided some time ago, because we'd both been Chairman of the Waikato Racing Club and both honoured to be Life Members, that we wanted to give back to the club in a different way,” said Fenton-Ellis. “So, in perpetuity, this race will be sponsored by us even when we are long gone and looking on from somewhere else.”

Having impressed winning the Eight Carat Classic, running a slick last 600m (33.7), Amarelinha was beaten a head by 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Aegon (Sacred Falls) in a tremendous finish to the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m), and looked tough to beat from barrier one on Saturday.

Given a box seat run in the trail by Danielle Johnson, Amarelinha cleared out to win by four and a half lengths, beating last start impressive winner Slave to Love (Savabeel) and third placed Needle And Thread (Makfi), who bolted in winning by over four lengths at her previous start in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 1 January at Ellerslie.

“She just brained them and was too good,” said Johnson, on dismounting. “She's got so much acceleration and her work prior was super. I knew she was going to be hard to beat.”

Having now won two legs of the New Zealand Bloodstock Fillies of the Year Series, Amarelinha leads the Points Table on 16, while 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winning stable-mate Kahma Lass (Darci Brahma) is second on 15 points.

The NZB Filly of the Year Honour Roll continues five previous winners trained by Te Akau: Shikoba (Chief Bearhart), Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago), Insouciant (Keeper), King's Rose (Redoute's Choice), and Costa Viva (Encosta de Lago). A series with both prestige and huge benefits for the commercial breeding appeal of fillies, anyone can understand the importance it carries in decisions around a filly like Amarelinha.

Accepting on behalf of the owners, David Ellis said: “I'd like to congratulate our owners, what a great thrill to win this race, the board of the Waikato Racing Club, and especially the Chief Executive Butch Castles and his team for all the hard work they put into the track and making Legends Day the success that it is.

“One of the owners in Amarelinha, Mr. Ben Kwok, will be watching from Singapore. He's a good friend, who unfortunately can't be here to witness the race, but he will be thrilled with the performance by the filly. And, hopefully in due course he will be able to come back to New Zealand and see race other horses that he has invested in with Te Akau.

“Also thank you to all our staff, who gives us their heart and soul every day. Wins like this are very special to everyone in Te Akau Racing, and Jamie (Richards) is doing a great job at the helm.”

Amarelinha is from the family of Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m) winner Metal Bender (Danasinga), a son of grand-dam Jacqwin (Bluebird). Metal Bender won nine races in Australia, and the title of top Australian 3YO in his year, while Jacqwin has left seven individual winners of 22 races. Her sire, Bluebird (Storm Bird), is a high quality influence in any pedigree and represented by only a select band of mares in New Zealand.

Amarelinha was strapped by Sam Bergerson.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz