O’Sullivan the toast of three countries after big win with Aerovelocity in Japan

Versatile mare Shantaine added further performance to her illustrious pedigree with a sterling performance to win the closing event at Ellerslie today. The WS-bred and sold four-year-old mastered difficult conditions to thump her Rating 90 rivals by a wide margin over 2200 metres.

“She’s a big and powerful type and she’s going to be able to carry weight in the future and that’s a big asset,” Pukekohe trainer Richard Collett said. She has fashioned the impressive record of five wins and six placings from her 13 appearances with success on both wet and dry footing.

Regular rider Leith Innes settled Shantaine behind the pace and angled her wide across the top to be in the firing line on straightening. The daughter of Pins then dashed clear and won easing down by an impressive two and a-half lengths. “She’s only a four-year-old and you’ll see the best of her next year,” he said.

Shantaine was bought by Collett for stable clients Bruce and Gerald Shand from WS’s 2008 Premier Sale draft for $280,000. She is out of the winning Centaine mare Centelise from the Gr 1 family of the VRC Derby and Caulfield Guineas winner and successful sire Grosvenor.