Winner: Enchanting Stakes' Win

Enhancing a significant record in the race for Te Akau, Enchantment (2 f Hello Youmzain – Belle Fascino, by Per Incanto) produced a strong winning performance in the $80,000 Property Brokers Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) on Saturday at Riccarton.

An early season trial winner in August at Waipa, Enchantment recorded two thirds from two starts prior to Christmas, with a trial win between them, and resumed with a resilient effort for close second in the Pearl Series 2YO 1000 metres three weeks ago at Riccarton. 

Rating a top three chance, Enchantment bounded away to lead for jockey Michael McNab, quickened to a healthy advantage nearing the 200m and never flinched to record a commanding victory.

Enchantment captured the 10th Welcome Stakes for the stable, having first won it in 2002 with Champion Two-Year-Old Maroofity, and most recently in 2024 with Te Akau homebred and South Island Champion Two-Year-Old Nucleozor (Almanzor).

On Good4 footing, Enchantment ran 1000 metres in 57.3, last 600m in 33.2, and paid $3.20 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote.

“She did a really good job,” McNab said. “She’d been building to this, running really well each time she’s stepped out at the races and she presented very well today.

“She was a little bit green in front, but once she straightened up for the run home she picked up well and held them off. She’s a filly that is going from strength to strength.”

Stable-mate Never Too Much (Rubick), who vied for tote favouritism with Enchantment, also ran a top race for second, after coming from third last at the 400m with a strong finish down the outside for jockey Opie Bosson. 

Enchantment was purchased for $60,000 by Shamus Mills Bloodstock (Victoria), from the draft of Haunui Farm, at the 2025 Karaka Book 1 Sale. 

Owned by Heath Newton, Waihi Bloodstock, John Blight, Elias Mantinaos, Pat Donato, Robert Revis, G & N Scanlan, Robert Juleff, David Skilton, Kylie Paton & Meagan Nies, Enchantment is a beautiful bodied filly with a lovely temperament and has a pedigree to match.

Enchantment is by Hello Youmzain (Kodiac), an extremely well-bred colt on the Danehill (Danzig) sire line, out of a Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) mare, who won two Group One sprint races on his way to becoming a leading European sprinter, and his oldest progeny are three-year-olds, while dam Belle Fascino (Per Incanto) was a dual Group Three winner over 1600 metres, among 10 wins.

“It was a really good to win a stakes race for Shamus Mills and his team of owners,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson, after the premiership leaders secured their 16th stakes win this season.

“She began well, it was a positive ride by Michael (McNab) to rate her in front and although a filly that is not overly big, she certainly showed a lot of heart to win. 

“She is now another stakes winner for Cambridge Stud stallion Hello Youmzain, and he’s sire that puts plenty of quality into his progeny and doing a good job.

“Enchantment handled the education process really well, has shown to be a natural type of two-year-old and the team at our stables at Riccarton have got her in great form.”

Commenting on the Welcome Stakes successes by Te Akau, principal David Ellis CNZM said: “It’s pretty exciting to have got into double figures with wins in the Welcome Stakes and Matamata Breeders’ Stakes, with over 20 individual winners of these two prestigious races for the juveniles.

“It was a great effort by Enchantment to lead all-the-way for Nabber (Michael McNab), and I’m thrilled to see him back riding so well after injury.

“It was also a very good run for second by Never Too Much, and it just shows what a great job our assistant trainer Hunter Durrant and the team of staff are doing down there at Riccarton.

“It’s great to have the support of the ownership group involved in Enchantment. She’s won a valuable black type race and she looks to have good amounts of ability to go on with.”

Enchantment carries a Danehill (Danzig) cross on the sire line of Hello Youmzain and dam line of Belle Fascino, and also a cross of Machiavellian (Mr. Prospector).

Both Enchantment and Never Too Much are now likely to prepare for the $80,000 Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on Saturday 2 May at Riccarton. 

Enchantment was strapped by Ruby Rae. 

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz