Win 3 - Miss Scandinavia Salutes Again

Three in a row - Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards again levelled at the top of the premiership after Miss Scandinavia (4 m Smart Missile - Miss Helsinki, by Hussonet) completed a hat-trick in the $10,000 Challenge Matamata Rating 65 1600 metres.

Developing a solid record with two wins and four seconds from 11 starts, the beautifully bred filly is owned by the Te Akau 2016 Scandinavia Syndicate after being purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis in Australia. 

“I bought her from Arrowfield Stud after she was passed in at the Sydney Easter Yearling Sale,” Ellis said. “She's got an absolutely stunning pedigree, so winning races adds enormously to her value.

“It's exciting to get another win with her and I'm so thrilled for the owners because she's a filly that's always shown potential, but once again she's needed the time to strengthen. Jamie's done an amazing job with her and it's great to see that patience being rewarded.

“Some of our really good owners bought into the filly, so it's brilliant for them, and for Jamie to get three winners in a row is just incredible. It's not easy to accomplish these feats, because although it might look easy from the outside it's incredibly difficult and all three (including Quattro Katie and Scottish Star) are all horses that we've bought as yearlings from the sales. It's fantastic and very exciting. 

“It comes off the back of Avantage winning on Saturday in Sydney, and we've had seven winners in the past week. 

“It's our 84^th win for the season and we're still in March, so it just tells you what a fantastic job by all the staff and we're having a party next week for all the team to celebrate the unbelievable results that they've accomplished. Karyn and I are really looking forward to the dinner and it's something all our team very much deserves.”

In the run, Bosson steadied Miss Scandinavia to settle three back on the inner, improved to fifth at the 600m and once balanced up after being five wide into the straight she knuckled down under urgings to score by a long head.

“We got a beautiful run and came into at the right time,” Bosson said. “She's still a little bit green, but she got the job done. I thought the leader had me in trouble halfway down, but to her credit she stuck her head out at the right time.”

A steady tempo saw Miss Scandinavia run the 1600 metres in a moderate 1:38.9, making it harder to come from off the pace, and confidently backed she returned $1.90 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a lovely patient ride by Opie,” Richards said. “She's got a bit of ability but was very well ridden to win. Every win we get with her is a bonus, because she's got a lovely pedigree and the type to let down into a wonderful (brood) mare. 

Miss Scandinavia has an exceptional pedigree. Her grand-dam Miss Finland (Redoute's Choice) was Champion 2YO & 3YO Filly in Australia, and winner of five Group One races including the Golden Slipper (1200m) and VRC Oaks (2500m). Her progeny has sold for $500,000, $750,000, and $900,000, as an indicator of her quality.

Miss Scandinavia was strapped by Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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