Star 3YO Amarelinha in line for Sydney feature after NZ Oaks win

The Jamie Richards-trained representative also claimed the New Zealand Bloodstock’s Filly of the Year title following previous series wins in the G2 Eight Carat Classic, the G2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic and the G3 Sunline Vase.

Richards didn’t confirm a trip to Sydney for Amarelinha and will see how she pulls up before locking in her immediate future.

“She does need good ground and we’ll get her home and have a look at her first. She was brilliant and I’m thrilled for everyone concerned,” he said.

“She was bred by Waikato Stud and we’ve had a lot of luck with Savabeel, I’m just really proud of the filly.”

Amarelinha jumped in the air as the barrier opened and rider Opie Bosson was forced to settle further back in the field that intended, one of the fence in the body of the field.

They tracked into the race 600 metres from home and Amarelinha was in front soon after straightening and stayed on too strongly for her rivals in the run to the post.

“She jumped straight up in the air and I thought oh no, as the plan was to ride her handy, but she relaxed beautifully,” Bosson said.

“She heard the other one coming and found again. She’s an exciting horse and I can’t wait if she gets to Australia.”

Amarelinha was sold at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale to Te Akau’s David Ellis for NZ$300,000 and is the 22^nd individual Group 1 winner for Savabeel.

She is out of the unraced O’Reilly mare Hopscotch, a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Metal Bender and to the dams of stakes winners Missybeel and North Pacific.