Winner: Avantaggia Awesome

Blueblood filly Avantaggia (3 f Wootton Bassett – Avantage, by Fastnet Rock) followed in the footsteps of her illustrious dam when winning the $35,000 Rating 65 1200 metres on Saturday at Otaki.

An amazing filly and mare, Avantage included two Group One wins at Otaki, and her first foal has now emulated by winning on the same course.

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM began the fairytale story when purchasing Avantage as a yearling for $210,000, from The Oaks Stud draft, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, after being bred by Southlanders Willie and Karen Calder. 

Her dam, Asavant (Zabeel), won the Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) and finished third in the International Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m), and Ellis was rightfully bullish about the progeny of Fastnet Rock (Danehill), having bought both Heroic Valour, who provided the sire with his first Group One winning two-year-old when taking out the Diamond Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), and 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Rock ‘N’ Pop.

Champion Two-Year-Old in 2017/18 and the second of eight Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winners bought by Ellis and trained by Te Akau, Avantage went on to win nine Group One races, the most for her sire, and she finished up winning 16 of 28 races and $2.1m in prize money for owners in the Te Akau Avantage Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

She then set a world record $4.1 million when sold online through Gavelhouse.com to Coolmore Australia, where she was foaled.

Owned by Te Akau 2024 Avantage Filly Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Avantaggia was purchased by Ellis at the 2024 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Coolmore Stud. 

A strong second-up winner in October at Te Aroha, Avantaggia was freshened by trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson over the Christmas/New Year period, and ran fastest last 600m (34.7) for third when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 11 March at Matamata.

Drawn barrier six, Avantaggia was sent forward by jockey Samantha Collett to secure a sweet trip in the trail, before bursting through inside the 200m and she kept producing for a strong win.

In the race sponsored by Porirua Club Punters, Avantaggia ran 1200 metres in 1:10.9, last 600m in 35.1 (approx.), and paid $3.80 & $2.00 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was a good effort by Avantaggia and certainly a good ride by Sam (Collett),” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson.

“She was positive out of the gates to take a position in third on the fence and she was really strong through the line. 

“She’s taken awhile to buildup physically, but obviously she’s got a lovely pedigree, and I think she’s only going to get better as a four and five-year-old. 

“It’s really good for the owners to have her win two of her first five starts. They’ve been very patient and she’ll now get an opportunity at black type.”

Avantaggia will now prepare for the $100,000 Windsor Park Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on Saturday 25 April at Te Rapa. 

“I was really pleased to see her come back and win second-up again,” Ellis said.

“She had to work early and they went a genuine pace, but once she sighted daylight in the straight, she really pinned her ears back for a strong win.

“She was an expensive yearling, but had every right to be given her pedigree, and she’s increasingly valuable now that Wootton Bassett passed away last year.

“It’s hard to expect any progeny of a mare like Avantage, who won nine Group One races, to live up to what their mother achieved, but Avantaggia is shaping up to be a filly with the ability to win more races and hopefully gain some valuable stakes wins.

“She’ll get a chance at stakes level next start and should be even better with another year or two on her, just like Avantage was.

“I was thrilled to be able to purchase a daughter of Avantage, who was an incredible racehorse for the owners and Te Akau, and I’d like to congratulate the owners that have come into Avantaggia and supported our decision to buy her.” 

Avantaggia was strapped by Rhiannon Smith. 

Photo credit - Peter Rubery - www.raceimages.co.nz