Trainer raising the bar for talented filly

16 February 2015

Ron Gussey is considering a Group Three test for his smart filly Midnight Mistress during the upcoming Auckland Cup carnival. The Avondale trainer’s confidence was boosted at Ellerslie this afternoon when his three-year-old went back to back with a strong winning performance in the Rating 65 sprint.

WS graduate Midnight Mistress beat a subsequent winner in Fully Funded on her home track last month and she has handled another rise in class with ease. She ran out the 1200 metres powerfully, prompting connections to eye the Westbury Stud Classic (1400m) on March 4.

“She’ll have one more run and then a spell – the further she goes the better she will be,” Gussey said. By Savabeel, she is out of the Listed Castletown Stakes winner Vera Pro Gratis, a daughter of the dual Gr 3 Cornwall Handicap and Rotorua Cup winner Nat The Brat.

Waikato Stud reveals stallion fees for 2026

From proven producers to exciting young sires on the rise, Waikato Stud’s 2026 roster offers breeders proven performance, emerging momentum and genuine depth across the board through Savabeel, his sire son Noverre, Ardrossan, Ocean Park, Banquo and the exciting new recruit in the unbeaten Group 1-winning juvenile, Return To Conquer.

6 April 2026

Mr Bombasa gives Banquo another winner

Three-year-old colt Mr Bombasa provided another winner this season for Banquo, who is having a watershed season with a Group 3 winner and performer also turning heads.