WINNER: Home Track Treble - Vintage Debut

Commencing her career in style, Vintage Rose (3 f Satono Aladdin – Sparkling Rose, by Bernardini) won the $18,500 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses) on 16 September at Matamata. 

After finishing third in a trial on 25 August at Waipa, when allowed to find her feet from barrier one, Vintage Rose shaped to race well first-up with a decent trip from barrier eight, but in winning she stamped herself as a very promising filly, indeed.

Ridden by 2023 Champion Jockey Michael McNab, Vintage Rose was eased back to third last, 11th and eight lengths astern at the 600m, but tracked up between horses and charged home near the rail to win.

In doing so, she provided McNab with the second of three wins on the programme, including stable-mate Typhoon Lucy (Dundeel) in the next race, and appeared like a filly capable of fulfilling her Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) nomination in November at Riccarton. 

In the process, she also rewarded co-trainer Sam Bergerson, who with his mother Kathy has a share in Vintage Rose, along with breeders Leon and Elaine Mountford.

On Soft7 footing, Vintage Rose ran 1400 metres in 1:26.7, last 600m in 36.2 (approx.), and paid $4.40 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a very patient ride by Michael (McNab),” said Bergerson, who trains with Mark Walker. “He got the gaps at the right time and a good effort by the filly to sprint when she did.

“Obviously, she’s a sister to Too Sweet (Satono Aladdin), who Dad (Roydon Bergerson) trained, although they’re different fillies – chalk and cheese – with Vintage Rose being a big filly that has taken a bit of time, and well done to the team at home. 

“She hadn’t shown a lot at the trials, but she produced super work on Saturday and off that we were a little bit more confident.

“It’s been good to get her on a reasonable surface, here, with the drying over the last few days.”

Bergerson said Vintage Rose could target the $175,000 Group 2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) on Saturday 17 October at Ellerslie. 

Walker added: “She’s a beautiful, big, scopey, filly, and it was a terrific effort to win in the manner that she did.

“She’s only going to get better once we get her out to 1600 and 2000 metres, so there is plenty in store for her this season. 

“It’s great for Sam (Bergerson) and his mother to share in the ownership, so hopefully he’ll get a lovely roast dinner next time she’s in Matamata.

“It was a beautiful ride of Michael’s, to let the speed go and ride for a bit of luck, which he got, but you’ve also got to have a horse travelling strong enough to take the gaps when they present.

“She was a beautiful yearling that really took our eye, a real standout in Book 2, and she’s already made a lot of people happy.”

Owned by the Te Akau Imperial Rose Racing Partnership (Mgr: Lady Karyn Ellis MNZM), Vintage Rose was purchased by Sir David Ellis for $260,000, from the draft of Brighthill Farm, at the 2025 Karaka Book 2 Sale. 

From the family of Te Akau purchased and trained sires Darci Brahma (Danehill) and Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice), Vintage Rose is by Japanese shuttle stallion Satono Aladdin (Deep Impact), a Group One winner over 1600 metres in blistering time (1:31.5), who commutes between Rich Hill Stud and Shadai Stallion Station. He is also the sire of Te Akau Champion Two-Year-Old Tokyo Tycoon, who was also bought by Ellis out of a Rich Hill Stud draft at Karaka.

Vintage Rose has a formidable dam-sire, as Bernardini (A. P. Indy) is doing a good job at stud and became the youngest stallion ever to reach the mark of 50 stakes' winners as a broodmare sire in May 2021.

At the time of purchasing Vintage Rose, Ellis said: “We’ve already had success with the sire, who continues to leave some terrific racehorses and the sister (Too Sweet) has recently won the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m).

“We know the family like the back of our hand, having bought and trained both Darci Brahma and Burgundy, whose Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) winning mother Grand Echezeaux (Zabeel) is the fourth dam.

“She’s a magnificent looking filly with plenty of strength and quality, and it's a family that has been instrumental in some of the successes for Te Akau.

“She has the pedigree to suggest she’s a Guineas' and Oaks' type filly, and we’re excited about her future.”

Vintage Rose has a bloodline cross to Fappiano (Mr. Prospector) and 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat (Bold Ruler).  

Vintage Rose was strapped by Sarah West. 

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