Winner: Got To Love A Beel

From the family of broodmare sensation Eight Carat (Pieces of Eight), Luvabeel (4 m Savabeel – O’Lovely, by O’Reilly) broke through in fine fashion to win the $17,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO & Up 1600 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses) on 13 May at Matamata.

Having resumed with a strong finish between runners for a close second in the Maiden 1400 metres on 27 April at Ellerslie, Luvabeel had placed in four of five starts to 1600 metres this season, placed on the course, and rated a top three chance.

In the hands of jockey Michael McNab, who won earlier on the programme aboard two-year-old stable-mate Honour Roll, Luvabeel situated three back on the inner, was off the rail inside the 600 metres to track race favourite More Bliss (Ghaiyyath) and once gaining her measure in the straight, she produced a strong finish to win going away by one and three-quarter lengths.

“I was back on the fence and the opportunity presented that I was able to get on the back of the favourite,” McNab said.

“She’s (Luvabeel) had good form and she produced a good finishing effort to win well.”

On Soft7 footing, Luvabeel ran 1600 metres in 1:38.0, last 600m in 37.1 (approx.), and paid $5.40 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a fantastic ride by Nabba (Michael McNab), after being a bit slowly away he didn’t panic, nursed her along and got on the back of the right horse,” said Sam Bergerson, training partner with Mark Walker.

“I was really pleased to see her quicken and stretch out the way she did, having been a filly that has been without a lot of luck, had plenty of setbacks, and I can’t thank the owners enough for the patience they’ve shown with her. 

“It was a really good fresh-up run at Ellerslie, she’s furnished nicely into the preparation and we think that as she steps up over ground, in time, we’ll then see the best of her. 

“She’s had issues being quite temperamental and a few niggles, but has a really good pedigree and she's now starting to develop into a lovely mare. Hopefully with this win under her belt, it will be the turning of the tide.”

Walker added: “She's a filly that has had a few setbacks, it was really good to see her win in the manner she did, a lovely ride of Michael’s, and hopefully that gives her the confidence to go on with it. 

“She’s got a beautiful pedigree, bred by Windsor Park Stud, who breed great horses year after year, and it was really satisfying to see Luvabeel win.”

In addition to the winning stake, Luvabeel won the $20,000 winning Pearl Series Bonus, as part of the $26,000 overall booty, under the conditions of the New Zealand Bloodstock Pearl Series, now in its 14th year. 

On course to receive accolades and some owner spoils, Mick and Wendy Willock were thrilled with the result.

“We attend the yearling sales, where New Zealand Bloodstock certainly look after us and we’re also grateful to the Matamata Racing Club,” said Willock, who with wife Wendy celebrated their 100th win with Te Akau when Celestial Wonder (Xtravagant) scored in September last year at Ellerslie.

“Te Akau does a wonderful job with the horses and thanks to Mark (Walker), Sam (Bergerson), Reece (Trumper), and all the staff. The communications, too, are also terrific.”

Farmers and horse people, the couple have been integral supporters and owners with Te Akau and clocked a century in just over a decade, while being involved in Horse of the Year and 10-tiime Group One winner Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), along with Group 1 winners Quintessa (Shamus Award), La Dorada (Super Seth), and Amarelinha (Savabeel). 

Owned by the Te Akau Luvabeel Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud. 

Luvabeel is by Group 1 WS Cox Plate (2040m) winning three-year-old and 10-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), from a mare by Champion Broodmare Sire O’Reilly (Last Tycoon).

From one of the best families in the studbook, grand-dam Lovetrista (Rock of Gibraltar) was an impressive winner of Group 2 Waikato Cup (2400m), before leaving four individual winners of 10 races.

Third dam Tristalove (Sir Tristram) was Head of the 1992-93 NZ 2YO Free Handicaps & Joint top filly on the 1993-94 Australasian 3YO Classification. 

It is the family of Diamond Like (Danehill), who still holds the 1200-metre track record at Ellerslie, Lovetrista (Rock of Gibraltar) and De Beers (Quest of Fame), and stallions Kaapstad (Sir Tristram), Don Eduardo (Zabeel), and Viking Ruler (Danehill), all stemming from three-time NZ Broodmare of the Year Eight Carat, a real Sir Patrick Hogan/Cambridge Stud family.

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “She is a filly with plenty of size and strength and from a family that injects an enormous amount of class and quality. 

“She’s a great looking filly, typical of the Eight Carat family in many ways, and we’re thrilled to have secured her.”

Luvabeel has a cross of legendary sire Sir Tristram (Sir Ivor) through her sire line and the dam-line of O’Lovely. 

Luvabeel was strapped by Rashid Alam. 

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