Madame Moet Sparkles at Matamata

Without hitch, Madame Moet  (4 m Iffraaj - Champagne Katie, by Darci Brahma) trotted up winning the $12,000 Maiden 1600 metres on 26 January at Matamata.

Having produced a top run for second in a Maiden 1400 metres on 23 December and fourth off a wide gate (12) in a corresponding event on 12 January, both at Matamata, Madame Moet was in the zone and trainer Jamie Richards presented her in immaculate order.

With class rider Opie Bosson aboard, fresh from the sixth consecutive Karaka 2YO Million success for Te Akau on Dynastic (Almanzor), Madame Moet secured a lovely trip three back inner, was four lengths in arrears of the leaders at the 600m, clear at the turn, and it was all over when she spaced her rivals by three lengths mid-straight.

Sponsored by Matamata Function Centre, Madame Moet had no issue with the Slow7 footing, running 1600 metres in 1:37.9, and holding firm as the $3.20 & $1.40 tote favourite.

“It was a good strong win and she was given a lovely ride by Opie,” Richards said. “He had her in the right spot and although she was wanting to go a little bit keen, she otherwise travelled up nicely.

“I said to Opie not to rush her too much from the gate (2), last her first time up to a mile, and off the fence at the right time she duly delivered.

“She really deserved that. She's a filly that we've had a little bit of trouble with in the gates, but she has got ability.

“She's done a bit of racing recently and it may be time for a freshen-up before stepping up in grade and racing on into the back end of March, into April and May, the way she handled the give in the ground.”

Owned by the Fortuna Madame Moet Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $70,000, from draft of Wentwood Grange, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

“She's very correct, walks well, has a good head and eye, a nice deep colour, and was really good buying at the price,” said Ellis, at time of purchase.

By high-quality proven International Group 1 stallion Iffraaj (Zafonic), from a stakes' performed mare by five-time Group 1 winner and multiple Champion sire Darci Brahma (Danehill), Madame Moet is line bred to immortal sire Northern Dancer and had plenty of substance and quality about her as physical type.

“She has been knocking on the door and had to contend with a couple of wide draws which is probably what defeated her recently at the last two starts,” Galvin said.

“She wasn't away that well, but got a lovely soft run by Opie (Bosson) and managed to sneak up on the rail. He got her off at the right time and I think she was probably aided by the cut in the track, while some of her rivals were clearly struggling in it.

“She's been an interesting filly. She was almost ready as an early summer two-year-old to be in contention for the Karaka Million, but things didn't quite go right in a trial and she was clearly not quite mature enough to have a genuine crack at it.

“Throughout her three-year-old year, she was held up and delayed and various things happened. She now seems to have matured and hopefully she can press on up in grade.

“Thinking about how she handled the (slow) track, we always thought she was a mare that might appreciate some cut in the track and Jamie (Richards) will be taking note of that.

“I had a message from Mark Walker as well, who always keeps tabs on the racing here. He made the comment that she handled conditions well.

“She had the pedigree page right from the start and she sold very well for us when we syndicated her because of that.

“Interestingly, she was a full sister to a horse we bought the year before. Unfortunately we lost her in a lightning strike, so many of the people that took shares in the first filly backed up the following year into Madame Moet.”

Madame Moet was strapped by Sumeet Pillay.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz