THE PERFECT PINK

Pedigree

Savabeel/The Solitaire

Racing Record

Starts: 5 (1 G&L)
Wins: 2 (1 G&L)
Stakes Money: $185,095

Group and Listed Achievements

1st - $300,000 GROUP 1 Barneswood Farm NZ 1000 Guineas 3YOF SW 1600m

THE PERFECT PINK

Entrusted to Te Akau to train, this classy Savabeel filly from the very good stakes' winning race mare The Solitaire, became  Group 1 winner at only her fifth career start.

The Perfect Pink debuted as an autumn 2YO in April 2021, with trainer Jamie Richards keen to get the race day experience under her belt.  She finished fourth at Hastings over 1300m but learned a lot after racing in restricted room for a distance from the 800m.

Patiently handled, The Perfect Pink was given time to continue to grow and develop and returned to trial as a three year old in early August 2021, resuming on 4 September when again finishing fourth over 1200m at Te Rapa with Michael McNab aboard.  Being awkwardly away did not assist her chances, but it is notable that the winner was one-time Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas' favourite Mana Nui.

With blinkers on for the first time, and off to the Cambridge synthetic track on 22 September it was game on in a Maiden Fillies and Mares 1300m Pearl Series Bonus event. With McNab again engaged, she was an easy 2.3 length winner.

On 24 October 2021, The Perfect Pink was the one to watch in the $80,000 Group 3 Soliloquy Stakes - while she was fourth to stablemate Imperatriz, herself the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas' favourite, her late finish was all class.

Keep observers knew what they saw, including Te Akau stable jockey Opie Bosson who elected to ride The Perfect Pink, one of five stable contestants, in the $300,000 Group 1 Barneswood Farm NZ 1000 Guineas 3YOF SW 1600m on 13 November, NZ Cup Day at Riccarton.

Together with stablemate and race favourite Imperatriz, she had a difficult draw (12) to overcome in the fillies' classic.  However the man to navigate this was on top, and it was another sublime Opie Bosson performance.

After settling back from the wide draw, Bosson took her wide at the turn seeking better going with steady rainfall, and she swept past stablemates Shepherd's Delight and Belle En Rouge to claim line honours.  With stablemate Imperatriz a fast finishing fourth - this gave Te Akau and trainer Jamie Richards a remarkable first four home in the Group 1.

Interestingly, this was the stable's second Group 1 NZ 2000/1000 Guineas' double and this year both Noverre and The Perfect Pink are by multiple Champion Sire Savabeel.  The continues Te Akau's fabulous Group 1 success with his progeny.

It was also a landmark day with this win bringing up Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards his 50th career Group 1, all recorded during his tenure at Te Akau.  The Perfect Pink also provided stable rider Opie Bosson with his 85th Group 1 victory, further cementing his New Zealand record of elite wins.

The Perfect Pink is raced by AG, KJ, MC & PR Dennis, GC Bennett, SP Christopher, C Lawrence & TV Rider. She has raced five times for two wins and three minor placings.  Her stakes' earnings now stand at $185,095.

Te Akau has now won seven Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas and six Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas in the past 18 years  - a total of 13 Guineas' titles - a record that no other stable can come close to.

Te Akau Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas' winners - all purchased by David Ellis CNZM:

King's Chapel, Darci Brahma, Tell A Tale, Rock 'n' Pop, Xtravagant, Embellish & Noverre.

Te Akau Group NZ 1000 Guineas' winners - *bought by David Ellis CNZM:

Costa Viva*, Insouciant, King's Rose, Risque, Kahma Lass*, The Perfect Pink

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