LARA ANTIPOVA

Classy juvenile Lara Antipova, named after the central character in Dr Zhivago, certainly announced her arrival in dominant fashion the moment she stepped out on race day.

After winning a trial in November 2025, the filly with her distinctive blaze, headed to Te Aroha on 7 December to make her debut - and what a statement it was, winning by eight lengths.

A relatively quick turnaround then ensued, as 13 days later she took the big road trip from Matamata to Wellington to contest the $175,000 Group 2 Windsor Park Stud Wakefield Challenge Stakes 2YO SW 1100m. 

While it was somewhat of an unknown factor as to how she would handle the backup or the long journey, she was nonetheless sent out red hot favourite and in the hands of Craig Grylls, who had also ridden her on debut, she duly obliged - scorching home by 4.5 lengths.

In winning, she became Te Akau's sixth victor in this event following on from Maroofity (Champion 2YO), Kapsdan, King's Ransom, Aotea Lad and Captured By Love.

Looking to defeat her unbeaten record, Lara Antipova lined up in the $225,000 Group 2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders' Stakes 2YOF SW 1200m.  Ridden by Opie Bosson ONZM, a big question mark hung over the rapidly deteriorating track and how the young filly would handle the prevailing heavy conditions.  

She ripped through the going to claim victory by 3.3 lengths - becoming Te Akau's fifth consecutive winner of this race, the stables' 11th title in total.  Interestingly, her three wins have been recorded by a total of 15.8 lengths (8 on debut, 4.5 and 3.3 lengths).

The biggest test of her burgeoning career was to come on Champions' Day at Ellerslie in March 2026. Sent out hot favourite for the $550,000 Sistema Stakes 2YO SW 1200m in the hands of former Te Akau apprentice, now Victoria-based rider Mick Dee, she did not disappoint her raft of fans, staving off all comers by a length.  Follwing this she was spelled before looking to an Australian campaign.

Lara Antipova is raced by the Fortuna Lara Antipova Syndicate (Mgr: J Galvin) and was purchased by David Ellis CNZM, alongside Fortuna Syndicators, at the Magic Millions' Gold Coast Sale.  She has raced four times, and is unbeaten, earning $556,610 in prize money to date.