“SHE was the best filly I have seen since 1988,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis after going to NZ$1 million to land the Fastnet Rock filly out of Testa Rossa mare Test The World at Tuesday’s final session of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka Book 1 Yearling Sale.

“She had a beautiful pedigree out of a mare who had a lot of speed. I was not going home, having done all of this work, without this beautiful filly. I’ve bought some pretty good fillies over the years, Avantage of course was by the same sire. I have had a lot of luck out of this sale with fillies I have really liked.

“The quality this year was extremely high and the breeders have done an excellent job. They’ve had a great growing season this year and I think there will be some excellent horses that come out of this sale in a few years’ time.”

Tremendous

The result also underlined a tremendous sale for Curraghmore Stud. Gordon Cunningham’s outfit had three of the top 10 yearlings and returned an average of $244,565 for 23 yearlings sold, which was just shaded by Trelawney Stud, whose 12 sold yearlings averaged $248,333 including the top colt of the sale, by Too Darn Hot, who went for $750,000 to the Australian-based Cameron Cooke.

As ever Te Akau were the leading buyers for the sale, David Ellis taking home more than double that of the next most prolific purchaser, signing for 27 yearlings at an aggregate of $6.115 million. Waikato Stud were the leading vendors, selling 52 yearlings for an aggregate of $7.742 million, while overall the sale recorded an aggregate of $70,063,000 and an average of $151,980 as the median rose 30% to $130,000.

HE’S A Doozy, by the British-bred Dansili stallion Zacinto, broke through for a maiden Group 1 win in the Thorndon Mile at Trentham on Saturday.

Seven hours south of Auckland which endured record deadly floods over the weekend, 249 millimetres in a 24-hour period, the Trentham racecourse, a short drive from Wellington, was still very wet ith the track rated a heavy 8.

Consequently jockey Kozzi Asano who’d moved He’s A Doozy through the field to be prominent on the bend made a beeline for the outside rail in search of better going. Under vigorous riding by the Japanese-born 29-year-old, He’s A Doozy prevailed by a half-length from Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart, by Redwood, with the Per Icanto gelding Lightning Jack third.

“In very tough conditions, the horse has gone super,” said Asano. “Everyone wanted to be wide, and I was worried that he might not handle the ground.

“But he travelled well throughout the race, and at the top of the straight (trainer) Lisa (Lattta) had told me I had to be right there.”

THERE was success for Irishman Joe Doyle who gained praise from locals when he got the enigmatic Leaderboard to put his best foot forward to win the Group 3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup.

The Mark Walker-trained son of Street Cry has always looked a progressive stayer but had also disappointed on occasions.

A disappointing run earlier in the month saw punters let him start at better than $50 on Saturday.

Doyle had the eight-year-old nicely in midfield before approaching the home turn he sent his charge on a run that saw him strike the lead at the top of the straight.

Contemplation fought back to reduce the margin to a length at the line.

Te Akau Racing assistant trainer Sam Bergerson said: “Joe got him into a lovely rhythm and after he galloped him at Matamata on Wednesday he said the horse was as fit as a fiddle.

Doyle, who only joined the New Zealand riding ranks in November last year, was thrilled with the victory, his second stakes win since moving.

“He travelled beautifully and we didn’t go a mad gallop, just even and he just kept fighting up to the line.

“These are definitely the horses you want to ride and it feels good to be riding for such good people.

“I’m very grateful to the people in New Zealand for how they have looked after me, I’m very fortunate and very grateful.”