Mark’s Mail – 19 October

I would have done a video this week but we had a big night in the foaling paddock and I’m feeling a little bit worse for wear.

We were treated to a great weekend of racing last week and I must say a big congratulations again to Lib Petagna for the win with Savabeel mare Nicoletta in the Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes at Hawera. She’s got an exciting campaign ahead of her and we look forward to following her progress.

Another horse who was impressive at Hawera was Howard and Pam Forbes’ bred and raced Rock ‘n’ Pop mare Rock ‘n’ Affair. She has put together two very smart wins and is my winner of the week.

The mating of the week goes to Portrait Of A Lady who was covered by Sacred Falls today. She is owned by our head vet Chris Phillips and her Sacred Falls filly at foot is such a stunner that Chris has decided to send her back to him.

The foal of the week is a Tivaci colt from Zelitist which is owned by Garry Chittick. He’s a beautiful, big, strong colt and typical of the great types Tivaci is leaving.

NZB and the Waikato Racing Club put on a great couple of days for the NZB Ready To Run Breeze Up’s and we couldn’t be happier with how our colts breezed up. Jamie and Chanel from Ohukia Lodge have done an excellent job with our horses and we were rapt that two of our Savabeel colts breezed in the two overall fastest times. Really looking forward to the sale next month.

I’ll finish off with my tip of the week – Waikato Stud bred/raced Savabeel mare Love Affair. She’s in great order and is second up after an impressive runner-up performance in the Group 3 Red Badge Spring Sprint at Hawke’s Bay a couple of week’s ago. She ran into tough company (Te Akau Shark) at her last outing but should be hard to beat tomorrow at Rotorua in the Group 3 Sweynesse Stakes over 1215m.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy long weekend!

Cheers,
Mark