Matamata Exhibition Gallop

Te Akau stakes' performers Romantic Lady (Power) and Sophisticardo (Burgundy) worked in unison during exhibition gallop between races on 12 January at Matamata.

Over 1000 metres in 1:00.7, 800m in 42.5, 600m in 34.9, Romantic Lady was ridden by Ryan Elliot and Sophisticardo by Opie Bosson.

Romantic Lady was terrific finishing second in the Levin Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on 25 November at Otaki, and was good coming from second last to stable-mate Festivity (I Am Invincible) in Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie. She is preparing for the $110,000 Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Karaka Million night (22 Jan.) at Ellerslie.

Owned by Sir Patrick Hogan, John Aubrey, Richard Johnstone, Michael Macky, James Montgomerie and Bill Taylor, Romantic Lady was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM for $92,500 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Sale, from draft of Cambridge Stud. She is the first foal of a race winning filly over 1250 metres in Sydney, by Champion sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill).

Preparing for $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m) on 22 January at Ellerslie, having finished fourth last year to On the Bubbles (Brazen Beau) in Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) - a Te Akau first four - Sophisticardo sprinted home from rear for fourth to On the Bubbles in Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, and continues to race well.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $30,000 at 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from draft of Cambridge Stud, owned by Te Akau Glammed Up Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

His dam, Glamorous Girl (Thorn Park), impressed winning over 1400 metres before scoring in Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). She was runner-up in Soliloquy Stakes (Listed, 1400m) and Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m). Successful as a broodmare, she has left seven individual winners of 16 races.

Sophisticardo carries bloodline cross of breed shaping stallion Sir Tristram (Sir Ivor), on dam sides of both Burgundy and Glamorous Girl.