A stunning Group One success capped a perfect day at Te Aroha for one of the country's leading nurseries.
The Haunui Farm-bred and owned pair of Nelson Park and Chancery quinellaed the Rating 65 mile before the Karaka stud's star performer Perfect Fit continued her rapid rise to the top with victory in the Fiber Fresh NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes.
At just her 11th appearance, the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained four-year-old led from the outside gate under Michael Coleman in Saturday's feature and they had enough in reserve to hold out the late finishers Abidewithme and Soubrettes.
"I wasn't concerned about the barrier as there's a long run down the back straight, but she had to do a lot of work and didn't get to the front as easily as I had thought," Ken Kelso said.
Perfect Fit is by the former Haunui resident Elusive City, who also sired the Kelso-trained 2013 winner Xanadu, out of the three-time Group One winner Fayreform.
"She has got a fabulous temperament and does everything right, she's a very good mover and it's just a dream to have her," Kelso said.
"She was a bit weak and fragile early on, but we've got very good owners who were patient and this has been a good team effort."
Perfect Fit is unbeaten in three appearances this year after success in an open handicap at Matamata and in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic and Kelso said they hadn't decided on the mare's future.
"We'll get her home and see how she does, there has been a hint about Brisbane but we'll wait and see."
While there was elation in one camp, there was tragedy in another after the multiple Group One winner Recite had to be put down after breaking a leg during the race.
Trained by John Bary for The Oaks Stud, the daughter of Darci Brahma won the Manawatu Breeders' Stakes at two and added the Levin Classic at three. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Haunui Farm-bred and owned pair of Nelson Park and Chancery quinellaed the Rating 65 mile before the Karaka stud's star performer Perfect Fit continued her rapid rise to the top with victory in the Fiber Fresh NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes.
At just her 11th appearance, the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained four-year-old led from the outside gate under Michael Coleman in Saturday's feature and they had enough in reserve to hold out the late finishers Abidewithme and Soubrettes.
"I wasn't concerned about the barrier as there's a long run down the back straight, but she had to do a lot of work and didn't get to the front as easily as I had thought," Ken Kelso said.
Perfect Fit is by the former Haunui resident Elusive City, who also sired the Kelso-trained 2013 winner Xanadu, out of the three-time Group One winner Fayreform.
"She has got a fabulous temperament and does everything right, she's a very good mover and it's just a dream to have her," Kelso said.
"She was a bit weak and fragile early on, but we've got very good owners who were patient and this has been a good team effort."
Perfect Fit is unbeaten in three appearances this year after success in an open handicap at Matamata and in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic and Kelso said they hadn't decided on the mare's future.
"We'll get her home and see how she does, there has been a hint about Brisbane but we'll wait and see."
While there was elation in one camp, there was tragedy in another after the multiple Group One winner Recite had to be put down after breaking a leg during the race.
Trained by John Bary for The Oaks Stud, the daughter of Darci Brahma won the Manawatu Breeders' Stakes at two and added the Levin Classic at three. – NZ Racing Desk.