Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) emerged victorious over Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton Park on Saturday, turning the tables from their last meeting in the Gr.3 Gold Trail S. earlier in the spring. Alabama Lass was brave in defeat, digging deep one last time in the home straight when she felt Captured By Love looming behind her, but the Te Akau Racing-trained filly surged past her for a 1.3l victory.
Co-trainer Mark Walker indicated that jockey Joshua Parr had been brought out specially for the race, and he rode a second winner for the team later in the day, followed by a close second to round out his three Kiwi rides.
“That was a great win,” Walker said. “Well done to our racing manager Reece Trumper for getting the services of Josh Parr.
“At the top of the straight, it could have gotten ugly, but Group 1 jockeys make Group 1 decisions and Josh got a lovely run through on the inside.
“Big thanks to Dave (Ellis), who bought the filly without any owners. It takes great nerve to buy the ones you want, and full credit to Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) for filling the syndicate. It’s been an interrupted preparation for Captured By Love, but the 1000 Guineas was the one we wanted.
“Full credit to Sam (Bergerson, co-trainer), as I’ve spent a lot of time at our Melbourne stable during the spring. He held his nerve by not giving her a hard gallop on Tuesday, just didn’t think she needed it, and the result was a very satisfying win for everyone involved.
“She’s only going to improve heading into the autumn, so very exciting times ahead.”
“It’s a privilege to win this race for the seventh time,” Karyn Fenton-Ellis said. Te Akau Racing most recently won the 2021 edition with The Perfect Pink (NZ) (Savabeel). “Congratulations to David Ellis for buying this filly, the owners who understand how good she is, and Mark and Sam for the way they have managed her through a somewhat difficult preparation.
“Today she showed all the spirit and class that she possesses, and thank you to Josh Parr for coming over and riding such a great race.”
A $525,000 purchase for Te Akau Racing Principal David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) from Milburn Creek’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Captured By Love was bred by Makybe Racing and Breeding out of Snitzel mare Moldova, who is closely related to stakes-winning Savabeel brothers Savvy Nature (NZ) and Addictive Nature.
Written by Kit Gow for TTRAusNZ
