Felicienne So Fabulous

Victory by Felicienne  (4 m Savabeel - Flavigny, by Mastercraftsman) and stable quinella provided a fitting result in $12,000 Congratulations Hong Kong Bound Jamie Richards Maiden 1400 metres on 23 December at Matamata.

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM announced the invitation extended by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to Richards at a staff meeting last week, and certainly an exciting time for the young Champion Trainer.

There would be few more deserving than Felicienne, following five seconds in eight starts, and the manner of her victory suggested she is a mare that could surge through the grades.

Having recorded three seconds and third from six starts in strong fields during her first campaign, Felicienne resumed with an eye-catching late dash for second (nose) in a Maiden 1215 metres on 16 November at Rotorua, and was again beaten just a nose on rain-affected footing after racing three wide in a Maiden 1400 metres on 4 December at Matamata.

Despite drawing the outside (12), Felicienne rated a top three prospect and duly obliged under a confident ride by Opie Bosson. Last passing the 800m, tracking an improving stable-mate Soprano Supreme (Contributer), she swept to lead early in the straight and proceeded to romp clear.

“She won easily,” Bosson said. “She cruised around them and put them away pretty quickly.”

On footing upgraded before race one to Dead4, Felicienne ran 1400 metres in 1:22.9, paying $2.70 & $1.40, winning by three and a quarters lengths over Soprano Supreme, who sustained her run boldly, with similar margin to third.

“Felicienne was good today, even from the outside barrier she was able to get back with cover and really found the line,” Richards said. “Opie let her loose on the point of the home turn and she quickened up really well.

“She'd been building towards it, taking a couple of runs getting to full fitness, but winning like that should give her a good deal of confidence to get through the grades.

“Soprano Supreme ran really well, too, after doing a bit of work and effectively leading Felicienne into the race. She didn't quite have the same turn of foot, but she was strong through the line and stepping up to a mile in three weeks should suit her.”

Soprano Supreme spelled in June after three starts, including finishing third, and resuming with weight relief to 54.5kg, she appeared capable of a solid performance from barrier six.

Owned by the Te Akau Flarabeel Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Felicienne was purchased by David Ellis for $190,000 at 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from draft of Windsor Park. By Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winning three-year-old and six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), she is from a young mare by the very successful sire Mastercraftsman (Danehill Dancer).

“She was a beautiful filly and the first foal from a stakes' winning mare that won four races (1200m - 1600m) when we bought her at Karaka,” Ellis said.

“It's a big thrill to see her break through, as it is with any of our first time winners, and the owners have been so patient.

“She had been unlucky not to have won already really, and she just won so nicely today that you'd have to think she's got a bright future.”

“All our team have worked so hard all year, with some fantastic results, and Karyn and I are thrilled to see results like this for our owners.”

Felicienne was strapped by Kendyll Lee.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz