Winner: Fortune Cookie All Class

Franking her strong performances on the course at Pukekohe, Fortune Cookie (3 f Proisir – Savsensation, by Savabeel) won the $25,000 Haunui Farm Maiden 2YO & Up 1600 metres on 1 April.

A trial winner in December at Pukekohe, when quickening down the outside to win stylishly, Fortune Cookie produced an eye-catching performance when running home well from last to finish sixth there on debut and although a touch awkward in the straight second-up at Matamata, she was ideally drawn (3) to show quick improvement - and she duly obliged in style.

Ridden by leading jockey Craig Grylls, Fortune Cookie was steadied after beginning well to settle in midfield, tracked up behind the leaders at the 300m, and once clear she raced away to score impressively. 

“I had a bit of cover in midfield, she relaxed nicely, and picked up really well over the last 200m,” Grylls said.

“She got through the ground (Heavy8) nicely, even though it’s getting a little bit cut up, but once she got out wider into the better ground, she really pinged off it.”

Winning by two and three-quarter lengths, Fortune Cookie ran 1600 metres in 1:38.9, last 600m in 36.2 (approx.), and paid $5.10 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote. 

Bred by Blue Stone Trustee Ltd, Fortune Cookie is owned by Cliff Matson and Katrina Dansted who entrusted her to Te Akau to train.

On course, assistant trainer Reece Trumper was asked about her second-up performance being below expectations, saying: “She never actually trialled left-handed and we put it down to that, but today it was a different story - back right-handed on a track where she trialled well before she had her debut and put in that excellent run here first-up.

“She obviously likes going right-handed and up to the mile, with her pedigree, that certainly helped. 

“She’s a filly that is going to get better with more time, and we can’t thank Janice, Cliff and Katrina, enough for giving all their horses to us to train and they’re big supporters of the stable.

“It started off slowly, but it’s great to pick up a couple of recent wins and we’ve got some really nice horses for them.”

A beautifully bred filly by 2023 NZ Champion Sire Proisir (Choisir), who leads again this season, Fortune Cookie is out of a mare by 10-time Champion Sire Savabeel, in turn from a mare by Montjeu (Sadler’s Wells), winner of the Irish and French Derbies, and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, among six Group One wins.

The extended family contains many Group and stakes winners, including New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Planet Rock (Fastnet Rock), winner of the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m). 

“It was a really good win today, and being by Proisir out of a Savabeel mare she’ll only keep improving, up over more distance, as well,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson.

“Reece (Trumper) has a great relationship with the owners, who put a lot into racing, and he has been instrumental in the success we’re having with horses we train for them. 

“Being a three-year-old filly, it would be nice to get some black type with her this season, and the way she won suggests she can measure up at stakes level.” 

Fortune Cookie was strapped by Ajay Kumar. 

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz