Entriviere Excels in Group 1 Railway Glory

Date: 2 Jan 2022

Entriviere Excels in Group 1 Railway Glory

 

Justifying favouritism in no uncertain terms, Entriviere (5 m Tavistock - Marcey's Belt, by Golan) exploded to victory in the $240,000 Sistema Railway (Gr. 1, 1200m) on 1 January at Ellerslie.

Billed as match race between Entriviere and Levante (Proisir), who both settled back, the outcome was decided mid-straight when rider Opie Bosson went for home and she found another gear.

“Opie thought they would go along at a genuine tempo and said he would ride her a little bit quiet,” said Champion Trainer, Te Akau's Jamie Richards.

“It seems to be her pattern. Otherwise, if she's left exposed she can overdo things. It was a perfect ride. He had Levante outside him and was able to dictate, which was a big help, but I thought when she quickened up she really exploded and won like the quality mare that she is.”

Winning the first Group 1 race in the world for 2022, Richards took his group one tally to 51, having reached 50 when The Perfect Pink (Savabeel) won 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) in November at Riccarton.

A trip away can often be the making of horses and Entriviere appears to have matured in every sense following a spring campaign in Sydney, Australia, where she won Coolmore Sheraco Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), was second Golden Pendant (Gr.2, 1400m), and ran fourth $2m The Invitation (1400m).

A dream come true for Te Akau Buckle Up Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Entriviere remains unbeaten in four starts at Ellerslie, while extending her record to seven from 12 and $592,000 prize money.

“She's class,” said Bosson, recording his 86thGroup 1 win. “When I worked her during the week she just got better and better, from her exhibition gallop (23 Dec. Matamata), and I felt very confident.

“I ended up going into the three-wide train quite early, because I didn't want to be held up, and have Levante come around me. I heard her coming, but my mare heard her too and she found another gear.

“She didn't have a hard run, just a couple behind the saddle and lots of improvement in her.

“You never get sick of winning these Group Ones and I want to try and get to 100 (Group 1) before I retire, so getting there.”

Safely through the run, Entriviere will contest $250,000 Telegraph (Gr. 1, 1200m) on 15 January at Trentham, where attempting to emulate stable-mate Avantage (Fastnet Rock) in a back-to-back double.

Previously at Ellerslie, Entriviere had won the Concorde Handicap (Gr. 3, 1200m) and King's Plate (Gr. 3, 1200m) and thoroughly deserved winning at highest level.

“We'd been really confident with her all week,” Richards said. “I was a little bit worried out the back. She was a bit tricky to get the saddle on and I hoped I hadn't left her one (run) short.

“But she won really well and big thanks to everyone at home. Dad (Paul Richards) went to Ozzie with these horses for an extended period of time, got stuck over there, and it's great to have the whole team here.

“She's got a great group of owners, including Grandma and Granddad sitting down there in Alexandra, so, it's awesome.

“Everyone gets a big thrill out of winning these Group Ones and there are a lot of Te Akau's loyal owners in this mare.”

On footing upgraded to Good3 after the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m), won by stable-mate Self Obsession (Shocking), Entriviere ran 1200 metres in 1:09.3, winning by one and a half lengths and paying $2.00 & $1.10.

“You never get sick of winning these big races at Ellerslie,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM. “I won my first race here in 1978 and I thought that was the biggest thrill anyone could ever have.

“It's wonderful to win the Railway again this year, after Avantage, and Jamie has done a fantastic job with this mare and wasn't she beautifully ridden by Opie.

“The staff had her looking in such great shape, so I'm really proud of the whole team.

“Jamie will be a loss to New Zealand racing, but we're also excited for his next venture training in Hong Kong, and also excited to welcome Mark Walker home from Singapore. They don't come much better than Mark Walker.”

Bred by Kevin & Kathleen Gray, CopperBelt Lodge, Entriviere is from family of triple Group 1 winner Maldivian (Zabeel): Cox Plate, Orr Stakes, and Yalumba Stakes, also Karaka Million 2YO winner Xiong Feng (Iffraaj).

Entriviere was strapped by Hunter Durrant.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

Back

Sign up to our newsletter