WINNER: Our Marvellous Moon

Given a beautiful ride by leading jockey Michael McNab, Paper Moon (4 m Savabeel – Kansas, by O’Reilly) won the $65,000 Wuhan Jockey Club Premier Rating 65 1000 metres on the middle day (11 Nov.) of Cup Week at Riccarton.

Yielding inside the 200m after racing keenly on pace when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 24 October at Riccarton, Paper Moon appeared to have taken no harm from the first-up assignment, presented in terrific order, and set the record straight with a smart performance. 

Tucked in behind the leaders, McNab waited patiently for a run near the rail aboard Paper Moon, which arrived at the 200m and she wound up powerfully to score.

“I just had to be patient, but she was solid when she got through the gap,” McNab said. 

“The track has been racing really fair and it rode well then, near the rail, and they hadn’t really used it in the earlier races.”

On footing upgraded to Soft7, Paper Moon ran 1000 metres in 55.8, last 600m in 32.8 (approx.), and as second favourite paid $5.00 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote. 

After having eight horses placed on the first day of the Carnival (7 Nov.), five of them as runner up, the win was welcomed by the training team partnership of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, along with assistant trainer Hunter Durrant, who runs the Te Akau stable at Riccarton.

On course, Walker said: “It was a frustrating day for everyone here on Saturday, and it was a nice ride of Michael’s. He just needed to be patient and wait for the gap to open. When the gap opened, he dropped his stick but she still went through.

“She’s been a work in progress, Paper Moon, and has been a bit keen in her races and track work. Hunter (Durrant) rides most of her work and he’s got her going nicely.”

Accepting gifts from the Wuhan Jockey Club representative, Te Akau racing manager Tom Murphy said: “It’s fantastic to see such a big crowd here today, full of enthusiasm, on what is a really great week of racing in New Zealand.

“The people have got a great appetite for the horses and the racing, and it was a top training feat by the team of staff that Te Akau has down here in the South Island.

“It allows horses to have a different experience and Hunter (Durrant) and the team do a fantastic job.

“Michael (McNab) didn’t have much luck on Saturday, but that was a top-class ride and great to see him aboard another winner in the tangerine colours.”

When winning her Maiden over 1200 metres on the poly-track at Riccarton, Paper Moon provided owners in the Te Akau I Kan Win Racing Partnership (Mgr: Lady Karyn Ellis MNZM) with a $20,000 Pearl Series Bonus in addition to the winning stake, and earned another healthy stake in the $65,000 event.  

Bred on the highly successful Savabeel/O’Reilly cross, Paper Moon was purchased by Sir David Ellis CNZM for $210,000 at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud.

The “magic” cross has included Te Akau bought and trained Group One winners Amarelinha, one of eight NZB Filly of the Year winners for the stable, Embellish, who stands at Cambridge Stud, and The Perfect Pink, trained for Tony Rider (Milan Park).

“Given her pedigree and quality, she was a really good value purchase out of Book 1 at Karaka, and developed into a beautiful mare,” Sir David said.

“Mark, Sam, and Hunter, have been particularly patient with her and judging by that winning performance I think we can expect to see her make really good progress. She did everything right, today, and showed a good turn of foot. 

“He (Savabeel) has been our Champion Sire 10-times now. His stakes’ producing record is approaching that of his Champion Sire Zabeel (Sir Tristram) and his daughters are hotly in demand as broodmares. 

“He’s a wonderful sire, as was the dam sire O’Reilly (Last Tycoon), and it’s blood that is respected globally.”

Paper Moon was strapped by Phoebe Moon. 

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz