Racing at Wanganui on Saturday saw a number of talented three-year-olds make their anticipated return to the track in the Listed Fordell O'Leary's Stakes for the fillies and the Listed Wanganui Guineas.
With a promising line up of fillies in the O'Leary's Stakes (1340m) it was the Graeme and Debbie Rogerson trained Dowager Queen (Savabeel x Dower) who led home a NZ Bloodstock quinella with a very impressive first-up performance.
Spotting the leaders nine lengths 600 metres from home, Dowager Queen came from last and was brought very wide by jockey Jason Collett at the top of the straight.
Showing her class the three-year-old immediately quickened on straightening and set out after the leaders, and held off a strong bid from another NZB graduate Testa Secret (Testa Rossa) to win by a short head.
With Dowager Queen and Testa Secret winning stakes races as two-year-olds, to see them come from the back of the field and finish two lengths ahead of River Nymph (Captain Rio) is a positive sign.
Both fillies hold nominations for the G1 NZ Bloodstock 1000 Guineas on November 12.
Savabeel has a number of promising horses coming through for the spring including Dowager Queen, Scarlett Lady, G2 placed Strike The Stars and Listed placed Sangster.
Dowager Queen also holds nominations for the Australian features including the 1000 Guineas and the Cox Plate.
Dowager Queen was bred by Bruce Reid & Sons Pty Ltd, Ron Moclair, Graeme Rogerson, Max Whitby and James Woodward and was purchased by the Two In One Syndicate from Dormello Stud at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale for $50,000.
The Listed Wanganui Guineas (1340m) saw another filly Whoshe (Storm Creek x Lesley Coup) trump the boys for her trainers Richard Otto & Mark Brooks.
In just six starts, Whoshe has notched up an impressive record with three wins with Saturday's victory her first at black-type level.
The Wanganui Guineas always attracts a strong field and Saturday's running was no exception with the 2011 Karaka Million winner Fort Lincoln (Charge Forward), Dollario (Captain Rio) and last start Ryder Stakes winner Snow Excuse (No Excuse Needed) all contesting the feature.
Whoshe was among the first into the straight for jockey Danielle Johnson and the pair extended impressively in the final half furlong, running away from the field to register a one-and-a-half-length win.
Running into second was Cruiser (Captain Rio) with Fieldofdreams (Bachelor Duke) taking third, giving NZB the trifecta and a clean sweep of the meetings feature races.
Whoshe holds nominations for the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas and the 2000 Guineas in November.
Whoshe is the 18th stakes winner for her sire Storm Creek and was bred by Mrs J C Cunningham, Mrs A M & R Horrocks, Stoney Bridge Thoroughbred Ltd and Mrs E E & Miss R A Waller.
She was purchased by Noel Donald from Twin Pines at the 2009 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale for only $5000.
An astute purchase, the filly has now returned over $58,000 in stakes from only six starts.
