Amarelinha lands New Zealand Oaks
Amarelinha (3 f ex Hopscotch by O'Reilly) was the star attraction heading into the New Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) and after giving her supporters a slight scare early on, the Jamie Richards-trained filly lived up to expectations, producing an extraordinary performance to win the Group 1 and in the process became Savabeel’s (Zabeel) 22nd top-flight winner.
The three-year-old has carved a lofty reputation for herself this season, having landed the Eight Carat Classic (Gr 2, 1600m), Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr 2, 2000m) and Sunline Vase (Gr 3, 2100m) and she had no issues adding to her flourishing record, beating Charms Star (Per Incanto) by a length. Llanacord (Contributer) was another quarter of a length away in third.
As the gates opened Amarelinha appeared to jump in the air and nearly dislodged rider Opie Bosson, the move cost her early momentum and forced Bosson to track three-wide leaving the home straight the first time, before Bosson was able to slot into a nice position one-off the fence in midfield.
From there on the result appeared to be in little doubt as Bosson sent Amarelinha forward to challenge on the home turn and then urged her two lengths clear with a brilliant burst of speed.
“I don’t know what happened at the start as she just fell out of the barrier and he (Bosson) was lucky he stuck with her,” Richards said. “She sort of dropped in then he got going, got round them and then had to drop in again.
“Full credit to Opie though as he rode a lovely race, found the back of the right one coming to the corner and then got going on the bend.
“She was brilliant today and is a very good filly.
“I’m really thrilled for everyone concerned.”
Despite the ease of the victory, Richards is in two minds as to whether to extend her campaign with a trip to Sydney or to head to the spelling paddock.
“We’ve been to this race before and haven’t had a lot of luck so I’m glad to tick it off today,” Richards said.
“We will have a look at Aussie, but she needs good ground so we will take her home and have a look at her before we make any further plans.”
Purchased by Ellis for NZ$300,000 at Book 1 of the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale, Amarelinha is out of unraced O’Reilly (Last Tycoon) mare Hopscotch, meaning the filly is bred on the same cross as 20 stakes winners and becomes the fifth Group 1 for the nick, joining Costume, Diademe, Savaria and Embellish.
Hopscotch herself is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Metal Bender (Danasinga), while Group 3-winning pair North Pacific (Brazen Beau) and Missybeel (Savabeel) - who is also out of an O’Reilly mare - also feature on the page.
In 2018, Hopscotch produced a filly by Savabeel and she was purchased by Brewers Bloodstock for NZ$190,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale and in 2019 she foaled another filly by the Waikato Stud-based sire.
Amarelinha is one of 112 stakes winners for five-time champion sire Savabeel, who stood at Waikato Stud for NZ$100,000 (plus GST) last year. The son of Zabeel (Sir Tristram) is enjoying a good season in Australia and New Zealand, siring 16 stakes winners and Amarelinha becomes the third Group 1 winner, with Probabeel and Concert Hall being the others.
The stallion has 17 lots catalogued at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, including six bred on the Savabeel / O’Reilly cross. The sale gets underway in Sydney on April 6.
