Two Tauherenikau Wins - No.2 Vino Bella

Having finished fourth on debut as a two-year-old at Tauherenikau, Vino Bella  (3 f Burgundy - Pinstinct, by Pins) returned to the venue for a fresh-up win in the $10,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 1000 metres, where she also collected an $11,500 bonus.

Strengthened following two thirds from four starts last season and breaking through at her fifth start and, she was bred, and is managed, by Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM for the Te Akau Vino Bella Syndicate.

“She's a filly that's got a bit of speed,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “We thought Taupo was a bit sharp for her yesterday (Wednesday) and that 1000 metres down there might suit her, and also she was eligible for the Pearl Series Bonus, which is a big help to the owners, so really pleasing to get that as well.

“It was a good effort by the team to present her at the races in winning order, after she had a little bit of a hold up. But, she didn't miss a lot of work and the stable is really starting to come right as the tracks improve.”

Vino Bella was one of four winners on the eight-race programme for rider Rosie Myers, who gave her a sweet trip in the trail before finishing too well on the inside of runners. Although a short head margin, she attacked the line strongly, and her courageous and determined style of racing should make her competitive in the next grade. 

On Dead4 footing, she ran the in 58.9 and returned $3.70 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote.

Her dam, Pinstinct, was a winner on good ground over 1200 metres and now left three individual winners of four races, and Vino Bella is a half-sister to talented gallopers The Looker (Handsome Ransom) and Enhance (Saperavi).

"It was also a very special and emotional win for me today too - this filly's dam Pinstinct who I owned passed away recently of natural causes at the farm. She was a lovely girl and was back in foal to Burgundy. I get very attached to my mares so was deeply upset to lose her," Karyn said.

Interestingly, Pinstinct is out of Oregon mare Oregon Express, and the same cross gave rise to the best horse sired by Champion stallion Pins, Ambitious Dragon, who accumulated seven Group One wins in a total of 13 and was twice named Hong Kong Horse of the Year.

Sire Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), the three-quarter brother to Darci Brahma (Danehill) - both purchased as yearlings by David Ellis - was trained by Te Akau to win five stakes races. Sire of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Dijon Bleu, NZ leading Second Season Sire, with group winning progeny at two and three, the oldest progeny by Burgundy recently turned five and he stands for a very competitive fee ($6,000) at Cambridge Stud.

“Karyn bred and syndicated her and she's the second in two days, after Burgundy Rose won yesterday at Taupo, that we've bred here at Te Akau Stud and Karyn has syndicated,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis.

“We try to identify some really nice homebred horses that we like and offer to our owners into and race them with, and it was great for the owners in Vino Bella to also pick up the NZB Pearl Series bonus. 

“The Pearl Series is a great initiative by New Zealand Bloodstock, for fillies and mares, and it certainly makes a difference winning at a midweek meeting and getting over $20,000 in stakes.

“That was our 21^stwin for the season, which is fantastic, and tomorrow our attention turns to the horses we have racing at Timaru, where we hope the track remains pretty good.”

Vino Bella was strapped by Kate Belsham. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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