WINNER: Powerful Pleasure

Doing justice to a very classy pedigree, Power Of Pleasure (3 f Wootton Bassett – Pleasurable, by Camelot) won on debut in the $18,500 Wright Cabins Maiden 1000 metres on 8 November at Tauherenikau.

One of two stable-mates that made the overnight trip away to Wairarapa, with back-to-back winner Geneva Queen (Swiss Ace) also racing well for third when stepping in grade for the Rating 75 1000 metres, Power Of Pleasure had quickened to finish midfield in a recent trial on 22 October at Waipa.

Ridden by Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman (a1), who scored aboard stable-mate Sibling Rivalry (Satono Aladdin) a day beforehand at Te Rapa, Power Of Pleasure travelled off the pace, as expected, from barrier eight, but made inroads quickly from the 600m to range four-wide turning for home and finished powerfully to win.

It was a good ride by Hayley, whose job was made smoother by the quality of performance by Power Of Pleasure, and the way she continued through the line suggested extra distance would be no trouble.

On Soft6 footing, Power Of Pleasure ran 1000 metres in 57.5 and paid $6.20 & $2.00 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was a really good win,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson. “She got a good trip for Hayley, presented at the right time and I loved the way she ran through the line very strongly.

“She’s a filly that is only going to get better with time, given her pedigree.

“The overnight trip away will be a great experience for her and coming away with a win will is all the better.

“She won in a really good fashion and we can look forward to her stepping up against better company.” 

Owned by the Te Akau Pleasure To Behold Racing Partnership (Mgr: Lady Ellis MNZM), Power Of Pleasure was purchased by Sir David Ellis for A$360,000, from the draft of Coolmore Stud, at the 2025 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. 

Coolmore shuttle stallion Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj), the Champion 2YO Colt in France, unfortunately died in 2025 after having 15 Northern Hemisphere crops and four Southern, and as a sire of sires he produced Almanzor, the Champion 3YO Colt in Europe, Ireland, and France - a Leading First Season Sire that now stands permanently in New Zealand at Cambridge Stud. 

Her dam Pleasurable, by Camelot (Montjeu), the Champion Three-Year-Old colt in Europe and Great Britain, is a three-quarter sister to Champion Older Male Stayer in Germany Red Cardinal (Montjeu), and Group Two winner Maria Royal (Montjeu). 

At the time of buying Power Of Pleasure, Sir David said: “She is a very elegant and beautiful moving filly, with a heck of a pedigree. 

“She has a European look about her physique, with the class to show some natural precocity and the depth in her bloodlines to get over longer trips. 

“She really is a beautiful specimen, by a sire that is one of the best in Europe. 

“There is plenty of staying blood in her pedigree and we see her as an Oaks type of filly. She will just keep improving with maturity and age.”

A blue-blood pedigree, Power Of Pleasure carries a bloodline cross to Zafonic, on the sire line as the sire of Iffraaj, and the dam line of Pleasurable. 

Power Of Passion was strapped by Sarah West. 

Photo credit - Peter Rubery - www.raceimages.co.nz