WINNER: In Love With An Uptown Girl

Beautifully bred mare Uptown (4 m Savabeel – Urban, by O’Reilly) further enhanced her record with a strong win in the $40,000 Rating 65 1600 metres on 25 September at Te Rapa.

After breaking through at her third start over 1600 metres in February at Tauranga, Uptown had found the line solidly for third when resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 2 September at Ruakaka, and with the addition of blinkers she made it two wins from five starts.

Ridden by Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman (a1), who recorded a big win aboard stable-mate Balance Of Power (Almanzor) midweek at Timaru, Uptown sought cover off the pace in eighth, and was seven lengths off the leaders at the 600m mark. She then quickened appreciably when presented in the home straight to gain an advantage inside the 200m, and drew out to win comfortably by one and a quarter-lengths. 

“That was mean,” said Hassman, on dismounting. “She was able to hold her spot just off midfield, but picked up really well in the straight and was gawking around waiting once I got past them.”

On Soft5 footing, in the race named Cambridge Synthetic Season Finale 30 September, Uptown ran 1600 metres in 1:36.2, last 600m in 34.0 (approx.), and drifted in betting to pay $7.70 & $2.60 on NZ TAB tote. 

“She’d really come on for that trip and first-up run at Ruakaka, and stepping to a mile was ideal,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson. 

“The track was presented in great order by Bart Cowan and his track team, and provided really good footing for this time of year.

“It was a good ride by Hayley (Hassman), allowing the mare to find her feet in midfield with cover. She had a lapful of horse turning for home and when she let the breaks go, she really sprinted fast. 

“Uptown is that much stronger this season, as a four-year-old, and she’s putting a good record together. I think she’ll continue to improve, especially as we step her up in distance, and there should be some good opportunities for her. 

“The owners have been nice and patient with her. She’s got a rich pedigree, the Savabeel’s keep improving as they mature, and it’s exciting heading forward.”

In the Waikato Stud Winners' Circle, Uptown's owners were represented by former Waikato Thoroughbred Racing former board member Glenn Holmes, who with wife Catherine, has a share in Uptown. 

“Slight conflict of interests in presenting and also having a share in the winner, but very exciting all the same,” Holmes said.

“It was a super training effort to have her winning second-up over a mile in this campaign, and congratulations to Hayley (Hassman) for another great ride to come from so far back and powering home.”

Accepting on behalf of the trainers, Sam Bergerson said: “She’s lightly raced, has now won twice, and congratulations to the owner group.

“She’s had a couple of frustrating setbacks, but looks likes she’s back on track, especially off today’s win, and we think there is plenty of improvement to come in her coat and overall fitness, as well.

“She won her Maiden with blinkers on and while she didn’t have them on at Ruakaka, they were back on for this race and they certainly help her focus too. 

“We love winning races at Te Rapa, especially with David and Karyn each having been past Chairmen of the club, and great to have Glenn Holmes, here, in the ownership too.”

“We’re having a good run as we head into Spring racing and hopefully that continues,” added Bergerson, after Uptown recorded the 15th win in a fortnight for the Te Akau stables. 

Owned by Te Akau 2024 Magic Fillies' Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Lady Karyn Ellis MNZM), Uptown was purchased by Sir David Ellis for A$400,000, from the draft of Waikato Stud, and the 2024 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. 

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “She’s a really well put together filly with plenty of class. Obviously we’ve had a lot of success with the progeny of the Champion Sire Savabeel, and he’s had such a huge influence as a stallion.

“This filly (Urban) is a perfect example of the cross between Savabeel and the Waikato Stud Champion Sire O’Reilly, and she is stamped with all the athleticism and quality that we’ve seen the cross produce.”

Ellis has established the most successful record buying progeny by the 10-time Champion Sire Savabeel, who passed in June this year, aged 24, and was recently acknowledged with the NZTR Award for Outstanding Global Achievement.

Among his Savabeel purchases have been eight Group One winners, with 29 stakes' wins, including a dual New Zealand Horse of the Year, the first NZB Kiwi winner, and three colts who are now standing at stud themselves.

Becoming a respected broodmare, Urban has now left five individual winners of 16 races, including Group Three and Listed placed Poison Chalice (Savabeel), and she in turn is out of Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) winner Metropolitan (Elusive City), who left six individual winners of 23 races including multiple stakes' winner Residential (Pins). 

Uptown carries a bloodline cross of immortal sire Northern Dancer, through the dam line of Zabeel and sire line of O’Reilly. 

Uptown was strapped by Stephanie Olney. 

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