NZB Standardbred Alumni Dominate Group One Finale

NZB Standardbred graduates dominated yet another Group One event when It’s All About Faith (NZ) (Captaintreacherous) scored a deserved victory in the $138,000 Woodlands Stud Sires Stakes Final (1980m) on New Zealand Cup Day at Addington. 

 

After having to settle for two Group One placings and finishing runner-up in the recent $200,000 Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2YO Colts & Geldings Final (2200m), the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen trained colt broke through for his maiden Group One crown with a late burst to claim runner-up B D Joe (NZ) (Roll With Joe) in an exciting finish.

 

Although NZB Standardbred graduates didn’t just quinella the Woodlands Stud Sires Stakes Final, they claimed total domination over the race.

 

Purchases at NZB Standardbred’s 2019 National Yearling Sale filled the first 13 placings in the 14-horse feature.

 

It’s All About Faith not only snared a deserved Group One victory, but the classy colt also took an important step forward in his career when he thrived under the pressure of a sold-out Addington Raceway on New Zealand Cup Day.

 

The three-year-old’s class and brilliant speed have never been questioned under Purdon’s driving leading in to the event, but his tractability had.

 

It’s All About Faith brushed those concerns aside in the first 400m of Tuesday’s race when settling beautifully in to the trail behind B D Joe, who speared to an early lead.

 

“I am trying to teach him to take a trail,” said Purdon.

 

“And today he settled and just drifted a length or a length and a half off the leader’s back.”

 

It’s All About Faith’s polished run was important to Purdon, who was delighted with his performance in this season’s classic races.

 

“Today I was just so pleased with him.”

 

B D Joe gave the favourite plenty to chase when rolling along at a strong tempo in the lead.

 

When the field turned for home, the Steve and Amanda Telfer trained three-year-old kicked strongly, setting up an epic home-straight battle with It’s All About Faith.

 

“We were thrilled,” Steve Telfer said.

 

“We were pleased he was able to take advantage of his good draw and he fought all of the way up the straight.”

 

Aladdin (NZ) (Sweet Lou) completed a trifecta of NZB Standardbred graduates with his big effort for third.

 

The All Stars pacer was tenacious after sitting parked outside B D Joe for all of Tuesday’s 1980m feature.

 

Aladdin held out dual Group One winner and fellow National Yearling Sales graduate, Krug (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) by a nose on the line.

 

Vendor	Breckon Farms
Purchaser	All Stars Racing Stables
Breeding	Captaintreacherous x Veste
Sale	Lot 122, $130,000, 2019 National Standardbred Yearling Sale Auckland
Bred by	Hardwood Breeding Syndicate