Trish Dunell
Sir Peter Vela celebrated the 16th anniversary of Ethereal’s Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) victory with a stakes success at Rotorua.
His famous colours were donned on Saturday by Danielle Johnson aboard the Keeper mare Wildflower, who she guided to a gallant win in the Listed Jakkalberry Classic (1950m).
The Graham Richardson and Gavin Parker-trained five-year-old continued a good run of results for Sir Peter, who also enjoyed a black type success in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) last weekend with Ethereal’s relative Cote D’Or.
Wildflower has been honest throughout her career and she has now won four of her 14 starts and has yet to fail to weigh in.
“We just love this mare, she’s so genuine and she’s only going to get better,” Richardson said.
“We’re chuffed to get a black type win for Sir Peter, I’ve been lucky enough to train for him for some time. He’s a big supporter of New Zealand racing and has horses with quite a lot of trainers here.”
Wildflower settled midfield on the outer before Johnson urged her around runners across the top and they were in front 250m from home. Snow Secret laid down a stern late challenge only to come up a nose short.
“I thought we had been nabbed on the line, but we got the bob in,” Richardson said. “We’ll just be looking to get more black type with the mare whenever we can.”
Angel In Bluejeans coped admirably with her rise from Rating 75 company to finish a game third ahead of the well-backed Hello M’Lady and last year’s winner Maygrove. – NZ Racing Desk.