Superb Victory for Talented Filly Graduate

Avana (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) showed what a threat she will be in the upcoming NZB Standardbred Harness Million Sale Race Series when producing a scintillating finish to win at Addington on Thursday 17 September. 

 

Heat three of the Magness Benrow Sires’ Stakes Fillies Heat (1980m) is set to be an important form reference for the $150,000 Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million Fillies Pace (1980m) at Addington on 2 October, after NZB Standardbred graduates filled its first five placings.

 

In an exciting finish, Avana was too slick for her stablemate from the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen stable in Town Echo (NZ) (Art Major).

 

Show Me Heaven (NZ) (Somebeachsomewhere) ran third, with La Rosa (NZ) (Bettor's Delight) fourth and Off N Gone (NZ) (Somebeachsomewhere) fifth.

 

Tim Williams drove a patient race behind Avana, before angling the $16,000 purchase at NZB Standardbred’s 2019 National Yearling Sale to outer where she let down with a powerful finish.

 

Williams praised Avana’s versatility and her professional attitude that helped her relax when she was caught in the parked position early in Thursday night’s race.

 

“She is a lovely filly and it is a pleasure to sit behind her,” the reinsman said in his post-race interview.

 

Avana could produce a highly sentimental win if she is able to take out the $150,000 Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million Fillies Pace.

 

The Bettor’s Delight daughter of Adore To Our Dreams (NZ) (Christian Cullen) is raced by Braeden and Caroline Whitelock with the Tuapeka Lodge Syndicate.

 

The Tuapeka Lodge Syndicate was formed by highly popular and prominent breeder, the late Father Dan Cummings, along with his brother Peter Cummings and sister Julie Davies.

 

Avana caught the eye of Cummings and the Whitelocks when she was offered at the NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale in Christchurch by breeders Paul and Pauline Renwick.

 

Cummings gave Avana her early education and worked her in the months before his passing in March, before the filly transferred to the Purdon and Rasmussen barn.

 

Town Echo was far from disgraced when running second to Avana. The All Stars stable filly is sure to improve following Thursday night’s race, which was her first since March.

 

In another event at Addington on Thursday night, two pacers boosted their hopes of qualifying for the $200,000 Listed Harness Million Listed Two-Year-old Colts & Geldings Pace (2200m) at Alexandra Park on September 25.

 

Got You Covered (NZ) (Art Major) beat home Major Moose (NZ) (Art Major) in a quinella for NZB Standardbred graduates the Woodlands Stud Mobile Pace (1980m).