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NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes on the cards for Fastnet Rock mare

A trip to Australia has been shelved for multiple Group 1 winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock), with Te Akau principal David Ellis and trainer Jamie Richards opting to keep the daughter of Fastnet Rock (Danehill) in New Zealand. 

The five-year-old mare has won five of her nine starts this season, all at Group level, and placed in her other four starts, including three times runner-up to stablemate Melody Belle (Commands) at Group 1 level, most recently in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

“It was a big effort,” Richards said. “2000 metre is right at her distance range and she continues to excel at all distances.

“It’s just unfortunate she runs into Melody Belle from time-to-time and is probably three Group 1s short of where she should be.”

The winner of eight elite level races, Avantage will shoot for her ninth Group 1 win when she contests the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Te Aroha on April 10.

“She will have a quiet week this week and then she will be freshened and set for the Te Aroha Breeders’ Stakes,” Richards said. 

“We are mindful that she has had a busy year and we are reluctant to send her over to Australia after such a busy time.”

While an Australian autumn campaign has been ruled out, Richards said the Te Akau team are contemplating a trip to Melbourne in the spring with the daughter of Fastnet Rock after tackling the Hawke’s Bay triple crown.

“We will start where we did (Hastings) and maybe look at Melbourne and give her her chance,” Richards said. 

“She has done a great job in New Zealand and the way to add some value to her now is to head back to Australia and see if she can be competitive in those better races.”