Season of Success: Lara Runs Riot

Simply outstanding, Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution – Artistic Lass, by Myboycharlie) capped an unbeaten juvenile campaign with a dominant victory in the $550,000 Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) on Champions' Day, 7 March, at Ellerslie.

Already unbeaten in three starts, including her impressive victory in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes (1200m) just three weeks earlier, the exciting filly carried the confidence of punters who backed her into an unbackable $1.10 favourite.

She certainly didn't disappoint.

In recording Te Akau's ninth victory in the prestigious Sistema Stakes, Lara Antipova followed in the footsteps of stablemate Return To Conquer, who claimed the race 12 months earlier to provide the stable with its landmark 100th Group One victory before embarking on his exciting new career at Waikato Stud.

Given a perfect ride by former Te Akau apprentice Michael Dee, who had earlier partnered stablemate Top Shelf to victory on the opening race of the programme, Lara Antipova enjoyed a lovely run in fourth before travelling effortlessly into contention approaching the home turn.

When Dee asked her to quicken at the 300 metres, she responded like a filly with a very bright future, surging clear to score by one and three-quarter lengths in emphatic fashion.

On a Good4 surface, Lara Antipova stopped the clock in 1:10.7 for the 1200 metres, with her final 600 metres in a slick 34.2 seconds, further enhancing her claims to become Te Akau's 13th Champion Two-Year-Old.

"She's a very exciting filly and we're absolutely thrilled for John Galvin and his Fortuna Racing owners," co-trainer Mark Walker said.

"Congratulations also to David Ellis. This is the eighth winner of the race he has purchased as a yearling, which is an incredible achievement."

Owned by the Fortuna Lara Antipova Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), Lara Antipova was purchased by Sir David Ellis KNZM in partnership with Fortuna Racing for A$100,000 from the draft of Vinery Stud at the 2025 Magic Millions' Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

She is by dual Group One-winning sprinter Russian Revolution (Snitzel), Australia's Leading First and Second Season Sire, and is out of Artistic Lass, a five-time winner over distances ranging from 1800 to 2200 metres.

Lara Antipova became the fourth individual winner from Artistic Lass and provided the mare with her first stakes' winner, joining five-time winner Caring Lass (Sebring) and four-time winner Bubbly Lass (More Than Ready).

The strength of the family continues through grand-dam Famous Painter (Peintre Celebre), whose descendants include Group Two and Group Three winners Sistine Demon (Excites) and Sistine Angel (Testa Rossa), along with Group Three placegetters Themoonlitegambler (Good Journey) and Scully (Shooting To Win).

The pedigree is further enhanced by third dam Rancheetah (Rancher), an eight-time winner including at stakes level, whose family also features Group Two winner Gallopini (Canny Lad).

Following her unbeaten two-year-old season, Lara Antipova travelled to Te Akau's Cranbourne stable in Melbourne, where she is scheduled to resume with a jump-out or trial in July as preparations begin for what promises to be an exciting Spring campaign.

Previous Te Akau winners of the Group 1 the Sistema Stakes (1200m):

2025 – Return To Conquer (Snitzel)

2021 – Sword Of State (Snitzel)

2020 – Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel)

2019 – Yourdeel (Dundeel)

2018 – Sword Of Osman (Savabeel)

2016 – Heroic Valour (Fastnet Rock)

2012 – Warhorse (General Nediym) (HK: Tougher Than Ever)

2003 – Maroofity (Maroof)