Bargain Buy Aardiebytheseaside (NZ) Scores Group One Oaks Win
11 December 2023
Aardiebytheseaside (NZ) (Downbytheseaside) broke through for a deserved Group One success when prevailing in a thrilling finish to the $175,000 Group One Tennant Engineering New Zealand Oaks (2600m) at Addington on Grand Prix Day.
The NZB Standardbred graduate drove through along the inner to score at the elite level for trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer and driver Tim Williams after producing several Group One placings.
In doing so, Aardiebytheseaside again showed herself to be one of the all-time bargain purchases from the NZB Standardbred sales ring.
The star filly was secured by Mike Tanev’s Razer Ridge Farm for just $1500 when she was offered at the 2020 All Age Sale by breeder-vendors Woodlands Stud.
After producing brilliantly consistent form, Amanda Telfer was delighted Aardiebytheseaside got due Group One reward.
“It was very well, deserved,” Telfer said.
“She has been very consistent all year and even last year.”
“It was good to see her get a Group One.”
Williams echoed Telfers praise of Aardiebytheseaside after guiding the filly to her classic victory.
“She never goes a bad race, she never works bad, she is the sort of horse you would love to have a barn full of them,” the reinsman said.
“Full credit to the horse she thoroughly deserves it.”
Aardiebytheseaside scored by just a nose after hitting the line right alongside runner-up Mantra Blue (NZ) (Sweet Lou).
Mantra Blue is another bargain purchase, secured for just $2300 by Wayne Fausett when also offered by breeder-vendors Woodlands Stud at the 2020 All Age Sale.
As thrilling as their finish was, Williams would have preferred if Aardiebytheseaside won by a little further.
“She has an awfully bad habit of getting past them and just waiting for them.”
“It was a bit scary having the margin of a nose she probably should have won by a wee bit more.”
The NZB Standardbred quinella pairing pulled away from their rivals as they sped home in a sizzling 26.7sec final 400m of the 2600m classic.