Fortuna Racing look to have another exciting filly on their hands after Lara Antipova romped to victory in the group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes at Trentham on Saturday.
The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained juvenile was eye-catching when winning by eight lengths on debut at Te Aroha less than a fortnight ago, giving punters the confidence she could put in a similar showing in her debut stakes appearance.
They duly backed her in their droves, with the daughter of Russian Revolution shortening into $1.20 favouritism on Saturday.
Premiership-leading jockey Craig Grylls was positive out of the gates with Lara Antipova, but she was burnt for early speed by the Andrew Forsman-trained Lassified on her outside.
Lassified eventually found the fence after crossing a green Magill, with Lara Antipova settling on her outside. Lara Antipova loomed ominously at the turn and quickly bounded to the lead when asked the question by Grylls, opening up several margins on her rivals, eventually running out a 4½-length victor.
Bergerson was rapt with his filly’s winning effort, particularly after backing up from her debut heroics.
"She is a very exciting filly. She has just kept on giving the more we have asked of her," he said.
Lara Antipova was bought by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, in conjunction with Fortuna Racing, for $A100,000 ($NZ115,000) out of Vinery Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Cost Yearling Sale draft earlier this year.
The filly will now likely be freshened up before targeting the group 2 Matatmata Breeders Stakes, then group 1 races.
• Lux Libertas was able to shed her bridesmaid tag when winning the group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes at Trentham.
The 5-year-old mare was first-up since her runner-up performance in the Listed Tauranga Classic in June, and she was backed as a $6.60 third elect.
She jumped away well under leading Central Districts hoop Bruno Queiroz, who gave her a beautiful trip in the one-one position before finding clear running room at the top of the straight.
Race favourite Marotiri Molly kicked clear at the turn, but Lux Libertas took chase and was able to slowly wear down the pacemaker in the concluding stages to win by a long neck.
Lux Libertas, out of stakes performer Miss Fi, a half-sister to stakes winner Peaceful, has won six of her 18 starts to date and has accrued nearly $285,000 in earnings.
• Matamata visitor Sagunto etched his name into the folklore of the group 3 Manawatu Cup when he claimed his third victory in the race with a brilliant front-running performance.
Successful in the contest in 2022 and 2023, the Peter and Shaun McKay-trained 10-year-old had been battling to recapture his best form in his current campaign.
However, he made a liar of those who doubted his ability to return to the winners’ enclosure as a brilliant ride from Sam Collett and a never-say-die attitude from the son of O’Reilly resulted in him holding out all challengers for a brilliant win by just a nose from southerner Freddie Time. — LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
By Joshua Smith
