VOTING CLOSES TODAY | Who gave the most outstanding performance at Ellerslie in the 2020/21 season?
26 May, 2021
ELLERSLIE reports:
Each season we ask our friends to vote for who they think is worthy of the title "Outstanding Performance of the Year".
This season, we have five finalists (Te Akau has 3/5 - listed below) in this category which is part of the 2020/21 Ellerslie Awards.
Each finalist has been selected by our Executive General Manager - Racing & Operations, Craig Baker, with his decision based on their remarkable effort to achieve victory.
Current members of the Auckland Racing Club, eDM subscribers OR fans of our social media accounts are entitled to one vote each.
To vote, send an email containing the name of the horse you wish to vote for to [email protected]
You may only vote once - multiple votes will result in disqualification
Voting closes at 5pm, Wednesday 26 May - so get in quick!
The winner, along with all other 2020/21 Ellerslie Award Winners, will be announced on Awards Raceday, Saturday 5 June, in the Takanini Room (open for Club members and their guests).
Outstanding Performance of the Year 2020/21 finalists
The finalists, complete with Craig's comments on their performances, are below and listed in chronological order of their nominated performance:
AVANTAGE
In the: Sistema Railway
On: Friday, 1 January 2021
Click the image to watch a replay of Avantage's nominated performance
This year's Sistema Railway was built up as a match race between Avantage and the "promising mare with the whirlwind finish", Levante. With a long season ahead of her, the Te Akau stable was open in saying that Avantage was not completely screwed down for the G1 sprint feature. However, that didn't stop the flow of money, with Avantage starting the $2.10 favourite.
Because of the concern that she wasn't 100% fit, this author went with Levante. How wrong!
From a good barrier, Opie Bosson was able to position Avantage in the trail, hook out on the corner, and kick away in the straight to beat Julius with Levante roaring home for third.
Watch a replay of Avantage's nominated performance
To vote for Avantage, send an email containing her name to [email protected] (one vote per person)
SWORD OF STATE
In the: Sistema Stakes
On: Saturday, 13 March 2021
Click the image to watch a replay of Sword of State's nominated performance
The word "wow" sprung to mind after watching Sword Of State dominate his rivals in the Group I two year old feature.
Opie Bosson was able to find the lead quite easily on Sword Of State with On The Bubbles sitting outside him.
Prior to the turn, Bosson quickened the pace which resulted in many of his rivals coming off the bridle.
In the straight, it looked as though the DoubleTree By Hilton Karaka Million 2YO winner, On The Bubbles, would make a real race of it. However his effort was short-lived as Sword Of State powered clear to win as he liked.
Watch a replay of Sword of State's nominated performance
To vote for Sword of State, send an email containing his name to [email protected] (one vote per person)
MELODY BELLE
In the: Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes
On: Saturday, 13 March 2021
Click the image to watch a replay of Melody Belle's nominated performance
Prior to the running of the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes, Melody Belle was seeking two things - redemption after she was well beaten in the Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa and the New Zealand record for the most victories in a Group 1 race - a record that was held by the incomparable Sunline.
By the end of the race, Melody Belle had ticked off both.
A change of rider meant that Troy Harris was onboard and, from a midfield draw, Melody Belle settled second last, importantly, right behind arch-rival, Avantage.
Troy tracked Avantage until just before the turn when he angled Melody Belle into the clear and powered down the outside to beat Avantage.
Melody Belle signed off her New Zealand racing career in a style befitting a true great of the New Zealand turf.
Watch a replay of Melody Belle's nominated performance
To vote for Melody Belle, send an email containing her name to [email protected] (one vote per person)
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