New SW Marks Memorable Day for Sir Peter Vela

Media Release - Saturday Oct 21
Sir Peter Vela celebrated the 16th anniversary of Ethereal's Group I Caulfield Cup (2400m) victory with a stakes success at Rotorua.

Wildflower - Trish DunnellHis famous colours were donned on Saturday by Danielle Johnson aboard the Keeper mare Wildflower, who she guided to a gallant win in the Listed Jakkalberry Classic (1950m).

The Graham Richardson and Gavin Parker-trained five-year-old continued a good run of results for Sir Peter, who also enjoyed a black type success in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) last weekend with Ethereal's relative Cote D'Or.

Wildflower has been honest throughout her career and she has now won four of her 14 starts and has yet to fail to weigh in.

"We just love this mare, she's so genuine and she's only going to get better," Richardson said.

"We're chuffed to get a black type win for Sir Peter, I've been lucky enough to train for him for some time. He's a big supporter of New Zealand racing and has horses with quite a lot of trainers here."

Wildflower settled midfield on the outer before Johnson urged her around runners across the top and they were in front 250m from home. Snow Secret laid down a stern late challenge only to come up a nose short.

"I thought we had been nabbed on the line, but we got the bob in," Richardson said. "We'll just be looking to get more black type with the mare whenever we can."

Wildflower is the 34th stakes-winner for Keeper and is the best of four winners from Zabeel mare Zygadene, a full sister to Group II winner Lafleur from the family of Group I winner Humidor. – NZ Racing Desk.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Unraced First Season Sires Trial Report
It’s been a pretty steady start to spring in terms of 2YO races and we are still waiting to see a first season sire post a winner, but there has been action aplenty at the trials which would indicate the pre-Christmas period is set to ignite.
Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx
From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 10
Here is the full list of 16 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2027 Golden Slipper Entries – Sortable Sale Mail – Find Out More
The new season is nearly upon us and that means all over the country a new crop of rising two year-olds are taking baby steps in the best stables in the land with the Australian Turf Club announcing this week they had received 1881 entries for the 2027 Golden Slipper, so who is in the race?
Darley Announce 2027 European Fees -Night of Thunder Soars to €450,000
It will be Dubawi central at Darley in 2027 with the legendary 24YO sire priced at £350,000, but the roster is topped by his champion son Night of Thunder at €450,000 and there are three more G1 winning sons or grand-sons of Dubawi also added to a power packed roster.
Remembering Northerly – The Greatest Caulfield Cup Winner This Century
It's Caulfield Cup week, and what better moment to revisit the life and times of one of the greatest - if not the greatest - Caulfield Cup winner of the modern era.
Super Seth 3YO Leads Waller First Four in $100,000 Super Maiden
The $100,000 Super Maiden (1400m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday delivered a first four for the Chris Waller stable with victory going to the well backed favourite Quarterback, who has a half-brother to be offered at the NZB Ready to Run Sale next week.
Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week is Out of the Gate!
Celebrating 140 years of racing and thoroughbred culture, Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week presented by GROW Southern Highlands will span three weekends, from 19th November to 6th December.
Racing Industry Mourns Much Loved Izzy Neale
The thoroughbred racing industry is devastated tonight following news that apprentice jockey Izzy Neale, aged 22, has tragically died as the result of a race fall at Warren on Sunday.
Doing Time Wins $100,000 Sprinters Challenge at Riccarton
Lee Callaway shared many jockeys’ rooms with Chris Johnson throughout his riding career, so it was only fitting that the Waikouaiti trainer took out the inaugural running of the Chris Johnson Three-Year-Old Sprinters Challenge (1200m) at Riccarton on Wednesday with Doing Time.