Te Akau Racing commenced Ellerslie’s inaugural Champions Day in the best possible fashion, with progressive mare Francee (NZ) Iffraaj) winning the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (1400m).
Carrying the silks of Haunui Farm, Francee had been out of the winner’s circle since Boxing Day in 2023, but had been knocking on the door in recent runs and was among the chances in an even market for the $120,000 contest.
Jumping from an outside gate, jockey Craig Grylls eased Francee near the tail of the field early and she raced wide through the mid-stages. Getting on the three-wide train behind Pax Mundi, Francee began to slide forward at the 800m and was gaining momentum into the straight, finding a good kick at the 100m to get over the top of Sexy And I Moet and She’s Untouchable right on the line.
“She took a while to wind up, but once she changed legs, I was fairly confident I had them covered,” Grylls said. “It was a pretty tough effort.
“The plan worked out really well from the draw. Mark (Walker, co-trainer) said to me if you can be three-wide with cover without getting too far back. We got a lovely track into it and she did the rest.
“It’s great to get first blood on a day like today and the track is beautiful.”
Walker, who trains Francee in partnership with Sam Bergerson, was thrilled for connections, who earned a $70,000 Pearl Series bonus in addition to the $69,000 winner’s prize.
“It was great for the Chitty family, Mark and Sarah, and Caroline and Ryan,” he said. “They had all of their family there, so it was very special to see the excitement on their faces.
“She’s been very unlucky so she deserved the win.
“We actually had her in at Matamata last Saturday, but she drew the outside, so Sam (Bergerson) and Mark (Chitty) hatched a plan to head towards this race. It all worked out very well.”
A mare by Iffraaj, Francee was bred by Haunui and BF Bloodstock, as the final foal out of a 10-win mare Calveen. A serious talent on the track, among Calveen’s victories were the Gr.1 Easter Handicap (1600m), Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m), Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) and Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). She also placed in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.
Francee’s success commenced what was a monumental day for Te Akau, with the stable going on to win the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) with Return To Conquer (Snitzel), and the showpiece, the $3.5 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m) with star filly Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel).
“It was a terrific day, and great for New Zealand racing,” Walker said.
“You can’t underestimate the impact of Entain, it was Lachlan Fitt and Cam Rodger’s last day yesterday and they’ve made an incredible impact. You never would’ve thought three or four years ago that this would be possible, so it’s exciting for everyone.”
