Pretty Polly Plum

Like dual course winner and sire Xtravagant (Pentire), Polly Plum (3 f Xtravagant - Herstory, by Commands) displayed her appreciation when winning the $12,000 BCD Group Maiden 3YO 1300 metres on 19 January at Te Rapa.

Purchased as yearling by David Ellis CNZM and trained by Te Akau, Xtravagant initially finished third at Te Rapa, on his way to a record-breaking 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) victory and returned to venue later in his three-year-old season to win both NRM Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m) and Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m).

Standing at Newhaven Park Stud, NSW, Xtravagant has sired 17 individual of 23 races and Polly Plum became his first winner in New Zealand.

Polly Plum had put writing on the wall when resuming with the fastest last 600m (35.1) in a dashing finish for third in a Maiden 1200 metres on 22 December at New Plymouth, and started the short priced favourite.

Assertively ridden from barrier one by Joe Kamaruddin, Polly Plum strode along freely in front, travelled best while spacing opposition rounding home turn and raced clear to score by three and a quarter lengths.

On Dead4 footing, Polly Plum, ran 1300 metres in 1:17.6, last 600m in 35.1, and paid $1.90 & $1.10 on NZ TAB tote.

“I was really pleased with the way she won,” said trainer Jamie Richards, notching his third win on the card.

“While not necessarily planning to lead, we wanted to be positive from the draw (1) and be handy to the speed, but she jumped well and Joe (Kamaruddin) put her right in the race, and there wasn't a lot of competition to lead.

“She's a filly we've always had a lot of time for, but she's been immature and required time to strengthen. She eating well, certainly starting to get there now and she looks great. She's a beautiful type of filly, as good as you'll see.

“I think she's open to improvement and capable of progressing through the grades, hopefully a filly we can get through to stakes' class.”

Polly Plum was named after Mary Ann Colclough, a New Zealand feminist and social reformer. Born in London (1836), she contributed to various colonial newspapers under the pseudonym Polly Plum and was one of New Zealand's most potent suffragettes. Her name is taken fro0m her dam's name "Herstory".

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM in January at Gold Coast Yearling Sale 2020, from the draft of Newhaven Park, she is owned by the Te Akau Enfranchise Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

A filly from the first crop by Xtravagant (Pentire), he himself was trained by Te Akau to win 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) in breathtaking fashion by eight and a half lengths, in a staggering 1:33.59, last 600m in 33.04, to establish a new race record and become the fifth of seven 2000 Guineas winners for Te Akau.

Dam Herstory won three races to 1400 metres in Australia, including a debut victory over 1200 metres as a two-year-old. She is by Danehill stallion Commands, sire of dual Horse of the Year and Te Akau star mare Melody Belle (ex. Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj) - winner NZ record 14 Group 1 races.

“I'm thrilled for the owners and for Jamie (Richards) to have trained the first New Zealand winner for Xtravagant,” Ellis said.

“He was an incredibly good racehorse who did some extraordinary things on the race track, and started his stud career outstandingly well.

“Along with a lot of very good judges, I've was overwhelmed with the quality of his first crop progeny at the sales and with our firsthand knowledge of him, it's fantastic being able to buy some of his progeny to bring home.

“Xtravagant is among the top 10 Second Season Sires in Australia, and we couldn't be more proud of him. The Kelly family that stands him at Newhaven Park are first-class horsemen, have a terrific property, and as a sire he will continue to get every opportunity.”

Polly Plum was strapped by Amit Gujar.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz