A lucrative victory in Wednesday’s NZB Mega Maiden Series (1400m) at Ruakaka could be a stepping stone to bigger things for Chilling Out (NZ) (Savabeel).
The well-related filly by Savabeel out of a half-sister to Group winners Fix (NZ) (Iffraaj) and Sudbina (NZ) (Almanzor) was offered by co-breeders Haunui Farm in Book 1 of Karaka 2024 and was bought by Michael Otto Bloodstock for $375,000.
Chilling Out was a strong-finishing third on debut at Rotorua on December 5 and recorded her first victory on Wednesday at start number two. In addition to the $10,360 prize for first, she also struck an additional NZB Mega Maiden bonus of $25,000. Owner David Paykel receives $20,000 of that amount, with $5,000 going to trainer Andrew Forsman.
Ridden by Craig Grylls, Chilling Out settled in sixth place and one off the rail before being unleashed down the outside in the straight. Despite showing her inexperience and doing a few things wrong, she showed a smart turn of foot and dashed to a clear lead. Chilling Out went on to win by a length and a quarter, with another two and a half lengths back to third.
“She’s quite an exciting filly and I’d be pretty keen to stick with her,” Grylls said. “She’s still quite green and has a bit to learn. She got a bit keen and wanted to over-race a little bit when the pace buttoned off mid-race.
“But she’s definitely got the gears there and that won’t be her last win. Once she gets up to a mile and even further, you’ll see a pretty nice horse.”
Forsman was represented at Ruakaka on Wednesday by his racing manager Joe Walker.
“We’re thrilled with that win,” Walker said. “She was inclined to overdo things a touch during the running, but she’s got plenty of ability. There’s a nice long straight here that gave her plenty of time to wind up, and she’s done it really well.
“There are quite a few options coming up for a filly like her that probably wants a mile or 2000 metres. It was important that we came here today and got some sort of result to give us the confidence to push on to those sorts of races, so we’re really chuffed with that win.
“Craig was excited leading into the race and said he couldn’t wait to get up here and ride her today, so that’s always a great sign.”
The NZB Mega Maiden Series is an exciting initiative by NZB and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, generously supported by Entain. It sees $1m in bonuses up for grabs across 40 non-Saturday maiden races throughout New Zealand each season.
Multiple bonuses were struck across the northern, central and southern regions last season, with prominent owner and racing industry supporter Terry Lines taking out two of the bonuses with his runners Suavetta (NZ) (Almanzor) at Pukekohe Park for trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, and seven days later, Reprobate (NZ) (Ace High) at Gore for trainer Kelvin Tyler.
The next race in the Mega Maiden Series is the $18,500 NZB Mega Maiden Series (1200m) at Timaru on December 28.
