Taupo early season racing invariably throws up good horses and two winners at their meeting on Wednesday, both with LA connections, look sure to take a good rating as the season unfolds.
Per Incanto filly Miss Aotearoa (Per Incanto-Danex by Danasinga) had looked smart at the trials as a 2YO and she delivered on that promise with a first-up win over 11OOm in Race 7, Taupo Pak ’n Save Fillies. Bred and owned by Tony Rider, the 3YO is expected to head towards the 1000 Guineas.
Team Te Akau have deliberately taken their time with the 4YO mare Ocean Belle, the first live foal of the LA bred dual Group 1 winner Xanadu. A big girl, like mum, she’d shown plenty of potential with two trial wins last season but up against the red hot favourite in the I Am Invincible mare Vamos Bebe she was expected to run second on her debut but prevailed in a brave effort over her favoured stablemate.
Ocean Belle, whose Per Incanto half-brother sold for $200k at Karaka this year, was retained by her breeders The Block Partnership, who race the mare with The Springvale Trust.
