Waikato’s silks to fore

A quick wardrobe change behind the barrier resulted in Waikato Stud’s familiar colours win out in a driving finish at New Plymouth this afternoon.

Jockey Ngakau Hailey had gone to the start aboard Confetti (ex Part Popper) in trainer Allan Sharrock’s silks before swapping for those of the Matamata farm and they narrowly prevailed in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series race over 1800 metres.

The daughter of Ocean Park settled three back along the rail before she was guided into clear air at the top of the straight and the lightly raced chestnut finished resolutely to get in the deciding strike.

She now has a brace of wins and four minor placings from eight appearances.

Confetti is the first foal of Party Popper, an unraced daughter of former stud resident Rock ‘N’ Pop who is again due to foal to Ocean Park.

The mare is out of a sister to the G2 Theo Marks Stakes winner and G1 Epsom Handicap placegetter Mackintosh and a three-quarter sister to Viennetta, successful in an addition of the G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Stakes.

Viennetta also finished third in the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes and produced the multiple stakes-winning sprinter Golden Archer.