Winner: Naughty Grannie Behaves Herself

Recording the 130th victory this season for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, Naughty Grannie (3 f Embellish – Tad Infinitum, by Traditionally) won the $17,000 Maiden 2000 metres on 20 May at Cambridge (poly-track).

With a 40-win buffer and seeking to add the seventh consecutive New Zealand premiership title for Te Akau, the training duo notched 131 wins and a record $9.2 million in prize money in 2024/25 and they track a similar path – 130 wins and $8.1 million – with 10 weeks remaining in the season.

Although unable to quicken after racing handily in the Maiden 1600 metres on 1 May at Pukekohe, Naughty Grannie was stepped up in distance for her third start and delivered by a comprehensive three and three-quarter length margin.

Ridden by Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman (a2), who continues to shine in her jockeyship, Naughty Grannie settled back in the field from barrier 10, improved into contention at the 600m, and strode clear after looming widest turning for home.

“It was a really good win by Naughty Grannie and a good ride of Hayley’s,” Walker said. “She summed up the speed. They were going were too quickly for that level of race and over 2000 metres.

“She bided her time back in the field, got handier at the right time, and made a sustained run to win going away. 

“It was a really good effort by the filly. She’s taken time to develop physically, being out of a slower maturing family, but to win over that sort of distance early in her career is promising and should give her the confidence to go on.

“She was bred out at the farm (Te Akau Stud) and the stock of Embellish have continued to improve as four and five-year-olds, so the ownership group has a bit to look forward to.”

In the race sponsored by Cambridge Vet Hospital, Naughty Grannie ran 2000 metres in 2:07.1, last 600m in 37.6 (approx.), and drifted markedly in betting to pay $10.00 & $3.00 on the NZ TAB tote. 

Naughty Grannie provided the second win on the programme for Te Akau, after course/distance debut winner Shiatsu (Swiss Ace) recorded her second victory with a game performance under jockey Samantha Collett, for owner/breeder Gerry Harvey (Westbury Stud). 

Naughty Grannie is bred and owned by Sam Boyd, David Ellis CNZM, John Elstob, Denise Bassett, Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, and Gilbert Southworth.

She also became the 50th individual winner for Cambridge Stud stallion Embellish (Savabeel), whom Ellis bought as a yearling at Karaka, and Te Akau trained to win the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) in 2017, becoming one of seven to win the race for the stable.

Somewhat underrated, Embellish is a versatile sire of stakes winners from 1100m – 2200m, continues flying the flag for 10-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), and leaves lovely types of racehorses.

Bred on the highly successful Savabeel / O’Reilly cross, and brother of Group One winner Diademe (Savabeel), Embellish has a terrific 3 x 4 Sir Tristram cross in his pedigree. 

There is a strong influence on his distaff line of Zabeel, Sir Tristram, Northern Dancer, Round Table, and My Babu.

Embellish also has the influences of Round Table (5/7 x 6/6), Better Boy (7 x 5), Princequillo (8 lines), My Babu (4), Nearco (18), Nasrullah (7) and the brothers Noholme and Todman.  

Accentuating the staying ability displayed by Naughty Grannie, she is out of a big, rangy, mare, Tad Infinitum, a half-sister to Justa Tad (Istidaad), winner Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m), Group 1 NZ Oaks (2400m), and Champion 3YO Filly.

Naughty Grannie was strapped by Mahesh Kumble. 

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