Wannabe 'n' Paris opens her stakes account in the Riverton Cup
The sole stakes race run in New Zealand on Monday was won by Wannabe 'n' Paris (5 m ex Wannabe Queen by Bernstein) who provided her Westbury Stud-based sire Reliable Man (Dalakhani) with his 19th stakes winner when she held on to won the Riverton Cup (Listed, 2147m).
Sent straight to the front under Chris Johnson, the five-year-old mare stuck her neck out on the line and held off the challenge of Asathought (So You Think), who was beaten a head for second, with Kaareraway (Makfi) a close third. Wannabe 'n' Paris has now won seven of her 41 career starts and her trainer will be hoping that she can add some more black time next preparation.
"She can have a really good break now as she has been up for a long time," trainer Paul Harris said.
"All going well we will get her back in the spring and we will be quite specific in the races we aim her for as the main target is the Wellington Cup (Gr 3, 3200m)."
Reliable Man stood his first season at stud in New Zealand in 2013 and his progeny include Group 1 winners Inspirational Girl, Miami Bound and Miss Sentimental. Reliable Man's 2022 fee is yet to be confirmed.
